Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after coming back from a extended period in Auckland after undergoing brain surgery.
The 25-year-old athlete suffered three separate head injuries in a single afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match versus New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.
A surgical procedure to relieve a brain bleed resulted in Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.
The team announced 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. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”
Rodski noted that the player is improving each day and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.
However, the CEO confirmed that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a potential return to training.
“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to training this pre-season and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, 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 member of our team and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his recovery.
The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its investigation into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.
The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.
However, Katoa was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.
His state deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being removed from the field on a stretcher.
The NRL has attempted to address issues around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.
