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The 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 New Zealand after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while representing the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match against the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while off the field, necessitating urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed left the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club announced recently that the forward has finally returned home and is on the mend, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our top concern,” stated Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our medical staff and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

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

“In consultation with our doctor and neurology experts, Eli will not return to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by noting that Katoa is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its inquiry into the events that led to the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up for the international contest.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a stretcher.

The NRL has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the game in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on high tackles and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.