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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts during a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a international fixture versus the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to address a brain bleed left the player hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The team announced this week that the forward has finally returned home and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” 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 local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski added that the athlete is making daily progress and is eager to pursuing his recovery in a home environment.

Importantly, the CEO stated that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a potential return to training.

“After discussions with our medical team and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to practice during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Eli is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and assist him during his recovery.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry 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, seemed to sustain a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, he was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a stretcher.

The league has sought to tackle concerns around head injuries in the game in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on high tackles and expanding the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.