Sea Eagles young gun Lehi Hopoate has opened up on the accidental collision with Tongan teammate Eli Katoa hours before the gun backrower had to be rushed to hospital.
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Hopoate and Katoa collided with one another in the warm ups before a clash against New Zealand late last year.
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Despite the nasty head knock, Katoa was cleared to play but then suffered two more separate head knocks against the Kiwis.
Katoa came to the sideline after the second of those and minutes later, suffered a seizure and was taken to hospital where he was treated for a bleed on the brain.
After undergoing brain surgery, Katoa was ruled out for the entire 2026 season.
Speaking with the SMH, Hopoate explained how the collision occurred.
“I had mixed emotions because I was at fault for what happened to Eli with his first concussion,” he said.
Eli Katoa returns to training with Storm | 00:43
“We were both going for the high ball, we didn’t see each other and then clashed.”
Knowing what he knows now, Hopoate would have “definitely” urged Katoa not to play but his teammate was cleared by the Tongan medical staff and the backrower was desperate to represent his country.
“I kept checking on him. For him, because he had the red (Tonga) jersey on, he felt like he owed it to the boys (to play),” Hopoate said.
“I messaged him a few weeks ago to see how he’s going. I’ve sent him a few gifts.”
Katoa is expected to be back on the field for the Storm for the 2027 season.
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