Chiefs v Reds: Wallace Sititi left shaking on field after sickening head knock
Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi left the field after a nasty head knock in their match with the Reds tonight.
Chiefs loose forward Wallace Sititi left the field injured after a sickening head knock during their Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final against the Reds in Hamilton.
Midway through the first half, the Chiefs were hot on attack when Sititi went on a charging run. His head made contact with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto’s shoulder before bouncing into the head of teammate Sione Ahio.
Footage showed All Black Sititi rolling himself into the recovery position before visibly shaking for a few seconds.
Match play was stopped for an extended period as medical staff attended to Sititi. He managed to get to his feet, looking dazed and confused, before leaving the field sat up on a medicab.
The Sky Sport commentary team confirmed during the halftime break that Sititi had been transported to hospital.
Salakaia-Loto was given a yellow card for his role in the incident, which wasn’t upgraded to a red, with the video referee deeming the injury was caused by Sititi dropping low into the tackle before Ahio’s head made contact.
Fans booed Salakaia-Loto, who scored the opening try of the game, when he returned to the field.
The Chiefs went on to win the match 46-24, and coach Jono Gibbes said there were mixed emotions after the match considering the circumstances.
“Never nice to see that and everyone’s feeling for him,” Gibbes said. “He’s gone to hospital and the latest is that he’s sitting up, he’s clear and he’s in a lot better than what we saw when he was coming off.
“I think those professionals dealt with a situation that was unfolding in front of them as best they could.
“Like I said on TV after the game, the trade off of the emotion, the team, the pride, the grit we showed and obviously the enjoyment of getting the result is tinged with it’s never nice to see one of our brothers in a situation like that. But he’s where he needs to be, he’s with people that can help him now.”
Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson said it ranked among the scariest incidents he has witnessed on the field.
“It’s a bit of a tough one. It’s not nice to see it at all, seeing Wally down there, not looking good,” Jacobson said. “We care deeply for him. We hope he’s in the best hands.
“It’s our job in that moment to pay respect to Wally, but then also get the team where they need to be. Trying to pull them into a huddle, keep their eyes off Wally a little bit, and really focus on what’s important for us now, what’s important next.”
The win for the Chiefs sets up a home semi-final against the Crusaders, while the Hurricanes host the Blues in the other final four showdown.
Ben Francis is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers breaking sports news.