The uncle of Eli Katoa has revealed the Tonga star is in a stable condition but asked for more prayers as the second-rower battles to make a full recovery.
Katoa underwent emergency surgery to ease pressure on his brain following a series of head knocks while playing for Tonga against New Zealand.
Katoa was rushed to hospital after reportedly having seizures on the sidelines.
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He copped a heavy head knock during his team's warm-up yet was cleared to play, but then went on to suffer two more blows to the head, leaving him needing oxygen on the sideline, before being rushed to hospital.
"At the moment, he's doing much better,'' Katoa's uncle Reverend Setelo told Tongan Radio station PMN.
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"He has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a general ward in the hospital
"He's awake, recovering well, and being looked after by medical staff. The family is very thankful for all the support, love, and prayers from everyone."
In the meantime, New Zealand coach Stacey Jones backed calls for greater awareness around the dangers of pre-match warm-ups.
"There should be scrutiny around it," Jones said.
"I don't know what went on, but there has got to be some real good care around the players.
"We have it at training.
"But again, I don't know enough to comment on what went on."
Jones' comments come after fellow Kiwi great Shaun Johnson said earlier this week he was "sick" over the incident and the fallout should see "heads roll".
Katoa's former teammate at the Warriors, Jazz Tevaga, said the situation should "never have happened".
"It's very heartbreaking to see for my brother Eli," Tevaga told AAP.
"I sent him a message and pray he is OK.
"It shouldn't have happened, but it did happen. All we can do is pray and hope he comes through the other side."
It's understood the Storm have been in daily contact with Katoa and his family, but there's no set timeline on when Katoa will be discharged from hospital.
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