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The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries in a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a international match versus the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while off the field, necessitating urgent medical care.

A medical operation to address a brain bleed resulted in Katoa in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The team revealed this week that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery remain our number one priority,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him back home and under the care of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

The Road to Recovery

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

However, the CEO confirmed that there is no set timeline for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a long road ahead ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating any form of return to training.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the Storm family will rally around him and assist him during his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the events that led to 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 head injury during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, he was allowed to play in the match and suffered two additional blows to the head before coming off in the later stages.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a stretcher.

The league has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the game in recent years, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.