Jordan Rapana’s shocking head wound: Blackouts, blood loss, nausea, 20 stitches

Jordan Rapana’s mum was “hysterical” and wife “freaking out” as the star Raider copped a sickening head wound right in front of family and friends. WATCH THE VIDEO

Canberra winger Jordan Rapana has revealed doctors took 90 minutes to insert more than 20 stitches into a horrific wound which sent his mum “hysterical” and his wife “freaking out”.

And Rapana said he vomited when back at Canberra’s team hotel, Novotel, in Brisbane’s CBD later that night.

Rapana sustained the nasty cut through an accidental knee in the head from Brisbane forward Marty Taupau late in Saturday night’s game which Canberra won 20-14.

In confronting on-field scenes, Rapana lost an obscene amount of blood in an incident which unfolded in front of his mum Lee-arn and dad Eli, who attended the Suncorp Stadium game with other members of his family.

Rapana’s wife, Kelsey, watched in horror from their family home in Canberra.

“Mum was hysterical. Having her there, I knew she would be worried. She has never been a fan of me playing rugby league,” Rapana said. “When she saw me on Saturday night I was still in la-la land.

“She was worried and stressed. But I just got off the phone to her and she is all good and happy now.

Jordan Rapana helped from the field. Picture: Getty

A wound in Jordan Rapana’s head required more than 20 stitches.

“My wife couldn’t get onto me (after the drama). She was freaking out watching the game on TV back at home. By the time I got out of the surgical room and onto the bus it was almost midnight.

“What stressed my wife and mum out was that I fractured my skull in a game in 2014 against the Dragons. They were worried about that.

“I think what upset mum the most was it sounded like the fans were booing me when I came off but I think they were more booing the penalty (against Brisbane) more than anything. She wasn’t too happy.”

In a tense surgical room, Rapana wouldn’t allow the doctor to shave his thick black hair, further extending the surgery.

“When I was getting stitched up, it was taking forever and I started getting a bit agitated with the doctor. I was in there for 90 minutes. The way it was cut, he said it was really difficult to stitch,” he said.

“He lost count after 20 stitches. I was groggy all night last night and this morning. I felt a little ‘off’ and I couldn’t really sleep last night.

Jordan Rapana down injured. Picture: NRL Photos

“The doctor tried to shave my hair but I refused, I wouldn’t let him. I said: ‘No, you’re not shaving it’. That was another reason it took an hour and a half to stitch up.

“I went off the field with five minutes to go and the boys were waiting for me on the bus. I blacked out and when I came to, to get up, I just remember feeling like I was going to spew up.

“Luckily the bus trip from the stadium to the hotel was only five minutes. If it was any longer, I would have spewed everywhere on the bus. I spewed up as soon as we got off the bus.

“Surprisingly, I remember the first half but I don’t really remember too much of the second half.

“It was obviously accidental and Marty came in when I was getting stitched up and gave me a hug. There was nothing in it, it was just unlucky, a massive accident and he apologised.

“I’m much better now. The thing that was most pleasing is that we won the game. That made it all worthwhile. We got the last laugh.”

Broncos players Jordan Riki and Jesse Arthars also texted to check on Rapana’s health, the three playing All Stars together.

Martin Taupau was controversially penalised for ‘careless’ contact, after Rapana copped an accidental knee to the head.

Although Canberra received the on-field penalty, the NRL match review committee did not charge Taupau.

Rated a category one concussion, Rapana will now miss Canberra’s match against St George Illawarra next Sunday afternoon at GIO Stadium.

“I’m upset that I will have to miss this weekend’s game but they are the protocols,” Rapana said. “These things happen.”

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart added: “Jordan was nauseous after the game. He was crook. It was a bad cut. Head injuries like that can bleed a lot.

“He was shaken up but has come good in time. He had all the reactions and symptoms of a category one concussion. His mum and dad were there too. It is always more difficult for a mum.

“It was an accident and I want to stress that. I feel sorry for Marty Taupau. He didn’t mean to do that.

“He came into our room looking for ‘Jordy’ and spoke to his parents, which was really nice of him. Marty came to check on Jordan’s wellbeing. They have played together, they’re mates.

“It was an unfortunate collision. Those accidents happen in these games. Jordan was back to his cheeky best (on Monday).”

Broncos coach Kevin Walters said: “I didn’t see any intent from Marty. I wouldn’t say it was controversial ... I don’t think any of those decisions had any impact on the game. We just weren’t good enough.

“They outmuscled us. We weren’t in the fight from the start and we lacked a bit of energy.

“The Raiders are a well-coached side and they played very well.”

TRIPLE TREAT FOR BRONCOS

— Peter Badel

The Broncos have received a triple Easter treat with skipper Adam Reynolds avoiding serious injury and forward duo Jordan Riki and Martin Taupau cleared by the NRL for Saturday night’s derby against the Titans.

Sanity prevailed on Sunday when the NRL’s match-review committee gave the green light to Riki and Taupau, who were placed on report for separate incidents in Brisbane’s 20-14 loss to the Raiders at Suncorp Stadium.

Riki was booked for a first-half facial on Canberra back-rower Hudson Young, while Taupau was reported over an accidental kneeing incident that saw Raiders winger Jordan Rapana taken off on a medicab with blood pouring from his head.

But the MRC have not proceeded with charges – clearing Riki and Taupau to face the Titans this Saturday night at Robina as ladder leaders the Broncos look to rebound from their first loss of the season.

Martin Taupau was stunned to have been put on report for the incident. Picture: Getty

But NRL football boss Graham Annesley dismissed suggestions the Broncos had been robbed of a try after Taupau was unfairly penalised.

“Although the Match Review Committee has deemed the contact accidental, it is important to point out that even if Martin Taupau had not been penalised, a Broncos try would not have been awarded,” he said.

“Another Raiders player would have been allowed to play the ball after Jordan Rapana left the field as there is no doubt he caught the ball cleanly and only released it after he suffered the injury.”

And in a further boost for the Broncos, Reynolds - their most important player - declared he will be a certain starter against the Gold Coast despite injuring his ankle in the Raiders defeat.

The Broncos received a major scare when Reynolds went down grimacing in the 13th minute after his right leg buckled under the weight of Jarrod Croker as the halfback tackled the Canberra centre.

Adam Reynolds is confident he will be back in time to face the Titans. Picture: Getty

Reynolds could have easily suffered the type of syndesmosis injury that struck down Josh Addo-Carr 24 hours earlier, with the Bulldogs flyer to miss six weeks and racing the clock to be fit for Origin I.

Broncos doctors deemed Reynolds did not require a scan and the champion halfback is confident a minor ankle sprain will not affect his ability to marshal Brisbane’s offence against the Titans.

Asked if he will play in the Gold Coast derby, Reynolds said: “Yeah, I’m alright.

“It hurt at the time, but it’s one of those things, like a ‘burner’ (heavy knock to the shoulder), it wears off.

“There was a bit of pain but nothing too concerning.

“It (his ankle) is a bit sore, I got caught in an awkward position there, but I got through the game.”

Multiple guys to miss at least next week due to concussion:
- Reuben Garrick showed Category 2 signs but failed his HIA, not an auto 11 day stand down but with short turnaround (6 days) unlikely for Rd 7
- Tom Flegler & Jarrod Wallace both Category 1 signs, automatic 11 days out pic.twitter.com/FqlDhYssps

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) April 8, 2023

MATCH REPORT: BRONCOS’ HISTORIC STREAK ENDS IN DRAMA

The Broncos’ best unbeaten streak in 25 years is over after a rampaging Raiders side belted Brisbane into submission to conjure a 20-14 boilover at Suncorp Stadium.

Brisbane’s flawless 5-0 record has suffered its first blemish, with the besieged Green Machine dishing out a savage form of capital punishment before 31,962 to deny the Broncos a sixth consecutive victory.

Adding salt to Brisbane’s wounds, key prop Tom Flegler will miss this Saturday night’s derby against the Titans after suffering a head knock in a brutal collision that crystallised this blood-and-thunder battle.

The match ended in drama with Rapana copping a knee in the head from Broncos prop Martin Taupau as he was catching a bomb in the 76th minute.

The Raiders produced a stunning ambush on the ladder leaders, earning their second win for the season. Picture: Getty

Taupau was put on report and Rapana left the field on a medicab with blood pouring from his head, but the Raiders hung on to celebrate one of the greatest wins in their history.

The Broncos started as red-hot favourites but they lacked execution and midfield intent against a Canberra side that muscled-up superbly in the absence of big guns Jack Wighton and Joe Tapine.

Ricky Stuart’s Raiders led 6-0 early, 14-4 at halftime and withstood a furious Broncos finish – headlined by Jesse Arthars’ 72nd-minute try – to clinch their first win at Suncorp in 13 years and inflict Brisbane’s first defeat of the season.

Two-try Canberra hero Jordan Rapana was outstanding, 293-game stalwart Jarrod Croker returned after a year out and Raiders ironman Corey Horsburgh broke Brisbane’s spirit with his lion-hearted defence.

FLEGLER FLOORED

As if defeat wasn’t painful enough, the Broncos will be without Flegler for the Titans derby on the Gold Coast in a blow for Brisbane’s midfield rotation.

The hulking prop copped an accidental elbow tackling Canberra fullback Sebastian Kris in the 24th minute. He was diagnosed with a category-one head knock and under the NRL’s new 11-day stand-down protocols, the Broncos must find a new front-row partner for Payne Haas.

Thomas Flegler was diagnosed with a category one head knock and will miss the Broncos Round 7 clash. Picture: NRL Pictures

BLACK-AND-BLUE BRONCOS

The Green Machine may just have provided the bone-rattling template to beat the Broncos.

The embattled Raiders were pumped up from the opening seconds and they stuck it to Brisbane in midfield with a ferocity that left Broncos ballrunners hurting and reeling from a 63 per cent completion rate in the first half.

Canberra’s finals-style desperation ruffled Brisbane’s feathers. The Broncos lacked playmaking polish and even star fullback recruit Reece Walsh was hustled and bustled into error.

Originally published as Jordan Rapana’s shocking head wound: Blackouts, blood loss, nausea, 20 stitches