'Hard to watch': Ata Mariota knocked out in horror collision as play halted during Samoa and Kiwis clash
Updated . First published at
Samoan forward Ata Mariota had to be taken from the field at Go Media Stadium, Auckland, in concerning scenes after he was knocked out cold during his side's loss against New Zealand.
Mariota tried to tackle Casey McLean low off a kick return but had his head in a completely wrong position and collided with his hip.
"That's hard to watch," Andrew Johns said in commentary on Nine.
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Play stopped for 10 minutes before Mariota was taken from the field in a medicab.
Ata Mariota is attended to by medical staff. NRL Photos
At the time of Mariota's departure, the Kiwis were leading 16-12 with 24 minutes remaining.
Earlier, Casey McLean had scored a first half double for New Zealand while Deiner Mariner and Simi Sasagi crossed for Samoa.
The latter try came after Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad tried to bat the ball back into play after a 40/20 attempt.
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Nicoll-Klokstad slammed into the fence near the sideline with the ball dribbling into the in-goal. Sasagi just had to pick it up and score.
Before half time, Matt Timoko put New Zealand ahead 16-12.
After play resumed from Mariota's departure, the attacking football returned.
Jamayne Isaako kicked a penalty goal for New Zealand in the 63rd minute before Murray Taulagi levelled up proceedings with a Samoa try.
At 18-18, the million dollar man, Dylan Brown, took the ball spectacularly off a Kieran Foran kick and dived over.
"What a miracle try," caller Brenton Speed said.
New Zealand then managed to hold on and seal a 24-18 win.
