Corey Harawira-Naera had to be medi-cabbed from the field after collapsing and convulsing on the Accor Stadium turf during his side’s courageous 33-26 victory.
The game was stopped for 10 minutes after Harawira-Naera suffered a seizure, prompting players from both teams to express concerns for the New Zealand international. They immediately huddled around the prone forward to shield fans and cameras from the concerning images. It was a delayed reaction from a seemingly innocuous collision that left him limping in back play; about 40 seconds after returning to his customary position on the left edge, “CHN” collapsed.
Medical officials came to his aid and later reported that Harawira-Naera was conscious and responsive before he was taken from the field. He was rushed into an awaiting ambulance, where he was able to speak while sitting up on a stretcher.
The game was delicately poised at the time of the incident, with the Raiders clinging to a four-point lead with 15 minutes remaining. Both teams composed themselves to put on a thrilling finish to a game that ebbed and flowed throughout.
Jack Wighton impressed his future employers by coming up with some big plays for his current one. After a quiet first half, the South Sydney-bound playmaker set up two tries to get his side home.
It was an intriguing shootout against his opposing five-eighth. Cody Walker was superb in a losing side, setting up four tries with pinpoint passes and kicks. Wighton, who will play at left centre once he shifts to Redfern, will be the biggest beneficiary of Walker’s scheming.
Raiders forward Corey Harawira-Naera receives attention after collapsing on the field.Credit: Getty
However, the Raiders somehow clung on despite Jordan Rapana, Sebastian Kris and Harawira-Naera being unable to finish the match due to injury.
The strength of the Queensland forward pack is underscored by the players not in it. Brad Fittler would have been relieved to see Josh Papali’i and Corey Horsburgh tearing apart the Rabbitohs rather than his side. The first quarter hadn’t even been completed and already Papali’i had steamrolled through more than 100 metres.
This was vintage “Big Papa”, constantly bending the line, freeing an arm and finding a support. He was ably supported; Horsburgh and Joseph Tapine in particular followed the veteran prop’s lead. Horsburgh scored a try off a Papali’i offload, showcasing surprising speed and even a right-foot step.
But perhaps the finest contribution from “Horse” was his defensive effort to push Alex Johnston into the in-goal, a play that forced a line drop-out and ultimately resulted in the first of three Albert Hopoate tries.
It was such defensive efforts that made one of the gutsiest wins in recent Green Machine history possible.
