A sickening head injury to star loose forward Wallace Sititi has detracted from the Chiefs’ win over the Reds and qualifying for the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.
A groggy Sititi was escorted from the field and taken to hospital early in the Chiefs’ 46-24 victory in Hamilton on Saturday, following a lengthy period of treatment after copping two heavy blows to the head in one incident.
Sititi was hit in a high tackle from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – resulting in a yellow card for the Reds lock – before clashing heads with teammate Sione Ahio.
The 23-year-old’s body shook involuntarily on the ground, something Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said was among the “scariest” things he’d seen on a rugby field.
Tim Horan breaks down Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s hit on Wallace Sititi and says it was ‘friendly fire’, but the right call
A yellow card was given, and Lukhan sent off for 10 minutes.
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Coach Jono Gibbes said he had “mixed emotions” when asked about his team’s impressive qualifying playoff win.
“The pride, the grit we showed and obviously the enjoyment of getting a result, it’s tinged,” Gibbes told reporters after the game.
“It’s never nice to see one of our brothers in a situation like that but Wally’s where he needs to be now, with people that can help him. There’s a big part of us that are actually thinking about him right now.”
Gibbes said Sititi was showing positive signs in hospital, having needed calming by medical staff during his on-field treatment.
“They were dealing with a player in distress. It wasn’t a case of being able to strictly follow A, B and C,” Gibbes said.
The 19-Test All Black has been in dynamic form for the Chiefs but is likely to miss next week’s semi-final in Hamilton against the Crusaders – a repeat of last year’s grand final which the Crusaders won.
World Rugby’s 2024 Breakthrough Player of the Year, Sititi was probably in the sights of incoming All Blacks coach Dave Rennie, who names his Nations Championship squad in two weeks.
The All Blacks’ opening Test is against France on 4 July.
– AFP
Photo: Phil Walter/Getty Images
The post Major concern over All Blacks star Sititi appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
A sickening head injury to star loose forward Wallace Sititi has detracted from the Chiefs’ win over the Reds and qualifying for the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals.
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