🔗 Share this article

The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three separate head injuries during a single match while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture against New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed left the player hospitalized and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The team revealed recently that Katoa has now come back and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our number one priority,” stated Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the care of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

However, the CEO stated that there is no set timeline for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa won't be back to practice this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating 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 entire club will rally around him and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is wrapping up its investigation into the events that led to the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the game and suffered two more head impacts before coming off in the later stages.

His state worsened rapidly, and he required oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a stretcher.

The league has attempted to address issues around concussions in the game in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.