LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
One of Australia's foremost concussion researchers is urging the National Rugby League (NRL) to enhance its safety protocols to prevent players from competing after sustaining concussions during warm-ups.
Eliesa Katoa was hospitalized and underwent brain surgery after experiencing multiple head injuries in Tonga's Pacific Championships match against New Zealand on November 2.
Katoa suffered a severe head knock during the warm-up but was permitted to participate in the match, where he faced two additional head impacts.
He exhibited obvious signs of distress following the third blow and subsequently experienced a seizure, which led to surgery for a brain bleed.
Katoa is currently receiving treatment in a hospital in Auckland.
The NRL has conducted an investigation into the incident and has spoken with relevant officials, but it has stated that the findings will not be disclosed until Katoa's condition improves.
Neuroscientist Alan Pearce, a professor at Swinburne University and a member of the Australian Sports Brain Bank, emphasized that such an incident should never have occurred.
Professor Pearce, an authority on chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-a degenerative brain condition that can only be confirmed post-mortem-highlighted that the initial hit during warm-ups was a clear indicator that Katoa was concussed.