PLAY was held up for 10 minutes when Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera suffered what appeared to be a fit during the NRL clash with South Sydney at Accor Stadium.
The Raiders were leading 24-20 when the New Zealand took a hit-up and was tackled. Several seconds later, Harawira-Naera collapsed and suffered a seizure.
His team-mates formed a shield around him while he was treated. Medical staff told media representatives the 28-year-old was conscious and talking as he was taken off on a medicab.
“We’re at a loss to understand why it happened,” Raiders coach Ricky Stuart told Fox Sports.
“He’s off to hospital now.
“That’s why I came down, just to see if he was conscious. He was, he was conscious and his family could understand that he was in the best care.
“The medical crew have done a wonderful job so far.”
Players attempted to stay warm on a chilly night while Harawira-Naera was attended to.
Halftime at Accor Stadium: Canberra 18 South Sydney 8 #NRLsoucan #rugbyleague #NRLWarriorsBroncos pic.twitter.com/oWmiNh6Rv7
— rugbyleaguehub.com👩💼🎤📖 (@leaguehubcom) May 27, 2023
Earlier, Canberra opened up a 16-4 lead by the time the game was 23 minutes old, Souths ran them down to lead 20-18 at 51 minutes and then replacement Tom Starling’s 59th minute try regained the lead for the Raiders.
After play resumed, hooker Damien Cook crossed in the 69th minute after Cody Walker kicked out of dummy half.
But Raiders winger Albert Hopoate completed his hat-trick with five minutes to go, captain Jarrod Croker converting for a four-point lead.
“We often say we’ve got a close group here,” said Stuart.
“The camaraderie and spirit amongst them is very high and you could see how they shielded Corey when he was on the ground.
“They didn’t want anyone to see what he was going through.
“The way they finished that game … we had hookers in the centres, we had front rowers on the edges, it was very much a brawl.
“I was very proud of the win. I’m more happy that Corey is conscious and in good hands.”
CANBERRA 33 (Hopoate 2 Horsburgh Starling tries Croker 5 goals, Fogarty field goal) beat SOUTH SYDNEY 26 (Johnston 2 Cook Cartwright Tass tries Taaffe 3 goals) at Accor Stadium.
Teams:
SOUTHS: Blake Taafe; Alex Johnston, Isiaih Tass, Jed Cartwright, Taane Milne; Cody Walker, Lachlan Ilias; Tevita Tatola, Damien Cook, Hame Sele, Jacob Host, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Knight. Res: Michael Chee Kam, Tallis Duncan, Shaquai Mitchell, Daniel Saluka-Fifita. 18th man: Richie Kennar.
CANBERRA: Sebastian Kris; Albert Hopoate, Jarrod Croker (c), Matthew Timoko, Jordan Rapana; Jack Wighton, Jamal Fogarty; Josh Papali’i, Zac Woolford, Pasami Saulo, Corey Harawira-Naera, Corey Horsburgh, Joe Tapine. Res: Tom Starling, Emre Guler, Nick Cotric, Ata Mariota. 18th man: Hohepa Puru.
Image: Aaron Gillions/SWpix