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The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts during a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a Pacific Championship match versus New Zealand. This led to convulsions while on the sideline, requiring emergency medical attention.

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

The team 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 are our top concern,” stated the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the athlete is improving each day and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

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

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its investigation into the events that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a head injury during the warm-up for the international contest.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and suffered two more head impacts before coming off in the second half.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

The NRL has sought to tackle issues around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, implementing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.