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Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he continues his recovery at home in Victoria, following returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three head impacts in a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a international match against New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

A medical operation to relieve bleeding on the brain resulted in the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club announced this week that the forward has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing are our number one priority,” said the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the supervision of our medical staff and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski noted that the player is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

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

“In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Eli is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

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

The powerful forward, who was named in the competition’s team of the year 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 allowed to play in the game and suffered two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the later stages.

His state worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

The league has sought to tackle concerns around concussions in the game in recent seasons, implementing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.