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The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery at home in his home state, after returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three head impacts in a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship match versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address a brain bleed resulted in Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The team announced this week that Katoa has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery remain our top concern,” said the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him home safely and under the supervision of our club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski noted that the athlete is improving each day and is eager to pursuing his recovery from home.

Importantly, the executive 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, Eli will not return to training during the preseason and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, he was allowed to play in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the later stages.

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

The NRL has sought to tackle issues around head injuries in the sport in recent seasons, implementing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.