Loko Pasifiki Tonga injured at Dragons training, departs in Ambulance

The St George Illawarra Dragons have confirmed young forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga was taken to hospital for precautionary neck scans following a training incident on Thursday.

Updated 4:00pm

A source close to the St George Illawarra Dragons confirmed to Fanatics.TV that Tonga had been cleared of any major spinal injuries. He is now out of hospital and returned to Dragons training on Thursday afternoon.

Earlier:

Concern emerged earlier in the day when images circulated of a Dragons player being stretchered from the field on a spinal board and loaded into an ambulance, with teammates watching on. The player’s identity was initially unclear.

In a brief statement, the club later confirmed it was Pasifiki Tonga.

“St George Illawarra Dragons forward Loko Pasifiki Tonga was taken to hospital for precautionary scans following a suspected neck injury sustained at training today,” the statement read.

“He was conscious and communicating with medical staff at all times. The club will provide an update on his condition once further information becomes available.”

Pasifiki Tonga made his NRL debut in 2025 and is regarded as one of the club’s emerging forward prospects. He is yet to feature in first grade this season.

The 21-year-old has instead been playing in reserve grade, where he has impressed with strong early performances, including a try-scoring outing against the Bulldogs in Round 1.

He had been named to start in reserve grade against Parramatta this weekend. It is now unlikely he will take the field as he awaits further medical assessment.