Melbourne Storm have confirmed Eli Katoa suffered “seizure activity” on the bench and needed surgery after being allowed to play on for Tonga against New Zealand on Sunday, a decision described as “indefensible”.

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended his side’s doctors for letting the forward take the field in Auckland despite copping a sickening head knock in the warm-up.

Katoa was rushed to hospital during his side’s loss to New Zealand in the Pacific Championships, with fans stunned he was given the all clear to play following the vicious collision with teammate Lehi Hopoate.

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