All Blacks star hospitalised after head knock in Chiefs qualifying final

Wallace Sititi leaves the field after a major head knock against the Reds in Hamilton.

All Blacks star Wallace Sititi has been taken to hospital after a major head knock during the Chiefs' Super Rugby Pacific qualifying final against the Queensland Reds in Hamilton.

Midway through the first half, Sititi's head made contact with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto's shoulder before bouncing into teammate Sione Ahio during a charging run.

Footage showed Sititi rolling into the recovery position before visibly shaking, with play stopped as medical staff attended to him.

He managed to get to his feet before leaving the field on a medicab, and was later confirmed to have been transported to hospital by the Sky Sport commentary team.

Salakaia-Loto was given a yellow card for his role in the incident — the video referee deemed the injury was caused by Sititi dropping low into the tackle before Ahio's head made contact.

The Chiefs were leading 8-7 at the time of the incident.