Hospital update after ‘terrifying scenes’ rock NRL to its core

The condition of Raiders star Corey Harawira-Naera has been revealed after his on-field seizure shook the NRL to its core.

The players formed a shield around Harawira-Naera. Photo: Fox Sports

Corey Harawira-Naera has been released from hospital after the traumatic scenes of his on-field collapse.

The NRL world held its collective breath overnight after the Raiders forward suffered a suspected seizure on the field before being rushed to hospital.

The incident forced the game between the Raiders and Rabbitohs to be stopped in the 66th minute as soon as referee Grant Atkins realised the Kiwi footballer was in trouble.

The Raiders released a video message from Harawira-Naera on Sunday morning where he said he hopes to get back on the field soon.

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He said he is yet to get the all clear from medical officials while he waits for results of scans, but he was in good spirits when speaking on camera.

“Firstly, I want to thank the boys from both teams,” he said.

“Our boys, the Raiders and the Rabbitohs, as well as the medical staff, the paramedics, the doctors, the coaching staff of both teams for showing concern.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate to receive a lot of messages about what happened last night. I’m doing better now. Love to you all for thinking about me and the prayers. I’m back on the mend. I’m not in the clear yet, but we’ll get some more scans and get that sorted out.”

A message from Corey Harawira-Naera 💚 pic.twitter.com/5rzfYahqVs

— Canberra Raiders (@RaidersCanberra) May 28, 2023

At the time of the incident, the Raiders were leading 24-20 and went on to win 33-26 despite the terrifying scenes.

It was instantly clear that Harawira-Naera wasn’t just injured and players from both sides stood in front of the second rower in order to give him some semblance of privacy.

The medical officials were quickly on the scene to treat the 28-year-old.

It emerged on Sunday morning that Harawira-Naera is making a promising recovering.

NRL reporter Fatima Kdouh told ABC Offsiders on Sunday morning Harawira-Naera was released from hospital care on Sunday morning.

“Corey Harawira-Naera has actually been discharged from Westmead Hospital, so that’s really positive, but again, the club hasn’t said too much exactly as to why he collapsed off the ball,” she said.

“That makes this incident so concerning. He did take two regulation hit-ups in the attacking set before he collapsed, and there didn’t seem to be any obvious head knocks, but at one point where he was going back to the left edge where he normally defends, people who are actually on the sidelines sort of witnessed him looking a bit disorientated, looking a bit confused

“And then he collapsed to the ground ah he convulsed for about 20 to 30 seconds. We heard Sticky say - Ricky Stuart that is - say they’re not too sure why this has happened, but some really positive news for Corey and his family and all of the rugby league world because it was frightening scenes.”

The game was stopped for several minutes as Harawira-Naera was treated but it was soon revealed that he was conscious and was talking to the medical staff.

He was quickly medicabbed off the field to a round of applause from the crowd.

The players formed a shield around Harawira-Naera. Photo: Fox Sports

Fox League’s James Hooper revealed an encouraging update in the final 10 minutes of the match.

“The NRL Independent Medical Doctors have reviewed what happened with Corey Harawira-Naera,” he said. “He took a regulation hit up and when he’s gone to move back out to the left edge, he became disorientated and then he’s had a seizure.

“The good news is that he was responsive. He was talking to medical officials and his teammates and we wish him all the best.”

He revealed soon after that Harawira-Naera was sitting up and speaking with the medical staff.

Harawira-Naera’s sister was in the crowd and was taken into the Raiders dressing rooms and allowed to talk with her brother.

At full-time, Raiders coach Stuart was clearly shaken by the drama.

“It was awful,” he said. “I just spoke to the doctor and he said they were unsure as to why. There didn’t seem to have been any contact to the head. So they’re at a bit of a loss at the moment in regards to why it occurred.

“He’s off to hospital now and obviously, our prayers and thoughts are with him.”

Stuart had rushed to the sideline and found out that he was conscious.

He added that he would be getting in contact with Harawira-Naera’s family as soon as possible.

Terrifying scenes from Accor Stadium. Picture: NRL Photos

Stuart praised his players for surrounding Harawira-Naera.

“We often say we’ve got a very close bunch here,” Stuart said. “The camaraderie and spirit amongst them is very high. You see how they shielded Corey while he was on the ground. They didn’t want anyone to see what he was going through and that’s a form of protection in its own.

“I was very proud of the win but I’m more happier that Corey’s conscious and in good hands.”

Raiders prop Josh Papali’i said it was “definitely one of the scariest things I’ve seen on a footy field over my playing career”.

“My heart goes out to Corey and I really hope he’s okay and doing well.

“He sort of replied at the end that he was okay before he was being wheeled off. My thoughts and prayers are with Corey at the moment.”