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

What Happened

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries during a single match while representing the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to relieve a brain bleed left the player in the hospital and initially unable to travel back to Melbourne.

The club revealed recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is on the mend, having also been briefly admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery remain our number one priority,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the care of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski noted that the player is improving each day and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

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

“After discussions with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on returning to full health 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 organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his recovery.

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its investigation into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was selected for the league's best lineup at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, he was allowed to play in the game and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the later stages.

His state worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a stretcher.

The NRL has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the sport in recent years, implementing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.