🔗 Share this article

The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries in a single match while representing Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed resulted in Katoa in the hospital and initially unable to travel back to Melbourne.

The club revealed this week that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery remain our number one priority,” said the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the athlete is improving each day and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

However, the executive confirmed that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Katoa will not return to training during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by saying that Eli is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a concussion during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the later stages.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a medicab.

The league has sought to tackle issues around concussions in the game in recent seasons, introducing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.