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The Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following coming back from a extended period in Auckland where he underwent a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three head impacts in a single afternoon while representing the Tongan national team in a international match versus New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address bleeding on the brain resulted in Katoa hospitalized and initially unable to travel to his club base.

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

“His health and recovery are our number one priority,” said the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the supervision of our club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

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

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa will not return to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “There is a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, 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 inquiry into the events that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up 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 removed from the field on a stretcher.

The NRL has sought to tackle issues around concussions in the game in recent years, implementing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.