Kiwis player leaves hospital after seizure

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

Harawira-Naera 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 yesterday 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.

Raiders coach Ricky Stuart praised both his players and South Sydney’s for rushing to Harawira-Naera’s side after he fell. The Raiders regrouped after Harawira-Naera left the field and vowed to keep playing in his honour, eventually triumphing 33-26.