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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the entire 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following coming back from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old sustained three head impacts in a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a international fixture against the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to relieve bleeding on the brain left the player hospitalized and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club announced this week that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery remain our top concern,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him home safely and under the supervision of our medical staff and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

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

However, the executive stated that there is no set timeline for Katoa’s recovery or a potential return to training.

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa will not return to training this pre-season and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the Storm family will support him fully and support him through his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

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

The talented player, who was named in the league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, Katoa was cleared to participate in the game and suffered two additional blows to the head 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 issues around head injuries in the game in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.