🔗 Share this article

The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while on the sideline, requiring emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed resulted in the player hospitalized and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The club announced recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing are our top concern,” said the club's chief executive 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 noted that the athlete is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

Importantly, the executive stated that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “There is a long road ahead in his recovery, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by noting that Eli is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will rally around him and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

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

The powerful forward, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, Katoa was cleared to participate in the game and suffered two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

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

The league has attempted to address issues around head injuries in the sport in recent seasons, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.