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The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a international match against the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, necessitating emergency medical attention.

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

The club announced recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our top concern,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him home safely and under the supervision of our club doctor and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the player is improving each day and is looking forward to pursuing his recovery from home.

Importantly, the CEO stated that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a potential return to training.

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa won't be back to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “There is a long road ahead in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its investigation into the events that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The powerful forward, who was selected for the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a head injury during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

However, Katoa was cleared to participate in the game and suffered two more head impacts before being substituted in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a medicab.

The league has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, introducing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.