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The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a international fixture against the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to relieve a brain bleed resulted in Katoa hospitalized and initially unable to travel back to Melbourne.

The team revealed recently that Katoa has now come back and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

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

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa won't be back to practice during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski finished by saying that Eli is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the Storm family will rally around him and assist him during his recovery.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that led to the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a concussion during the warm-up for the Pacific Championship match.

However, he was allowed to play in the game and suffered two additional blows to the head before coming off in the second half.

Katoa’s condition deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a stretcher.

The NRL has attempted to address issues around concussions in the sport in recent years, implementing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.