🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, following coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts during a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match versus the Kiwis. This led to seizures while on the sideline, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to relieve bleeding on the brain resulted in Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club revealed this week that Katoa has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our number one priority,” said Storm CEO a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the athlete is improving each day and is eager to pursuing his recovery from home.

However, the executive stated that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to practice this pre-season and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that led to the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, Katoa was cleared to participate in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before coming off in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a stretcher.

The league has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the game in recent years, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.