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The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

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

A surgical procedure to relieve bleeding on the brain resulted in the player hospitalized and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The team announced recently that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the player is making daily progress and is looking forward to pursuing his recovery from home.

However, the CEO stated 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 won't be back to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a much loved and respected member of our team and club, and that the Storm family will support him fully and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

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

The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the pregame routine for the international contest.

Despite this, he was allowed to play in the match and suffered two additional blows to the head before coming off in the second half.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a stretcher.

The league has sought to tackle issues around concussions in the game in recent years, implementing crackdowns on high tackles and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.