🔗 Share this article

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a extended period in New Zealand where he underwent brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old sustained three head impacts in a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture against New Zealand. This led to seizures while on the sideline, requiring emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to relieve bleeding on the brain resulted in Katoa in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The team announced this week that Katoa has now come back and is on the mend, having also been briefly admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery remain our number one priority,” said Storm CEO a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the athlete is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

Importantly, the executive stated that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Eli will not return to training during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a long road ahead ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the Storm family will rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

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

The talented player, who was selected for the league's best lineup at the annual awards ceremony, seemed to sustain a concussion during the warm-up for the international contest.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before coming off in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a stretcher.

The NRL has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and expanding the mandatory recovery time for affected players.