🔗 Share this article

The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a extended period in New Zealand where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete sustained three head impacts during a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a international match versus New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to address bleeding on the brain left the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

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

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our top concern,” stated Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him home safely and under the care of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the player is making daily progress and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

However, the executive confirmed that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a potential return to training.

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is 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 concluded by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the Storm family will rally around him and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its investigation into the circumstances that led to the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was selected for the league's best lineup at the annual awards ceremony, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, Katoa was allowed to play in the game and endured two more head impacts before coming off in the later stages.

His state 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 game in recent years, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.