‘Pretty scary’: NRL players praised after Raiders star’s collapse

Canberra forward Corey Harawira-Naera has been discharged from hospital after collapsing and experiencing a seizure during his team’s NRL match against South Sydney.

The 28-year-old Raiders lock says he is “on the mend” but “not in the clear yet” and will undergo further testing to get to the bottom of the frightening incident at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.

Shortly after taking a hit-up in the second half on Saturday night, Harawira-Naera appeared to become disoriented and fell to the turf. The match stopped for over 10 minutes as medical staff rushed onto the field and attended to the New Zealand international, who had begun convulsing.

Harawira-Naera was conscious and responsive by the time he was transported from the field in a medicab amid a standing ovation from the crowd. He travelled by ambulance to Westmead Hospital with his sister, who was a spectator at the game.

The New Zealand international was discharged around 3:30 on Sunday morning and shared a video update on his condition about eight hours later.

“I’m back on the mend, not in the clear yet but we’ll get some more scans and sort it out,” Harawira-Naera said. “Health comes first but I’m obviously hoping to get back on the field as soon as possible as well.”

Harawira-Naera thanked those who showed support following the medical episode.

“I’ve been pretty fortunate to receive a lot of messages about what happened last night,” he said. “I’m doing a lot better now, so love to you all.”

No player harboured more concern for Harawira-Naera on Saturday night than teammate Albert Hopoate, who roomed with the second-rower for three years.

The pair are close mates, FaceTiming or catching up most days, and the Raiders winger was visibly distressed when Harawira-Naera went