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The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after returning from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three head impacts during a single match while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture versus New Zealand. This led to convulsions while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed resulted in the player in the hospital and initially unable to travel back to Melbourne.

The club announced recently that the forward has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

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

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

“In consultation with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa won't be back to practice this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “There is a long road ahead ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to training.”

Rodski finished by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is wrapping up its investigation into the events that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was named in the league's best lineup at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, Katoa was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before coming off in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the game in recent seasons, implementing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.