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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, after coming back from a extended period in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture against New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to address a brain bleed left the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club revealed recently that Katoa has now come back and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

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

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the player is improving each day and is looking forward to pursuing his recovery from home.

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

“In consultation with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa will not return to training this pre-season and is ruled out for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

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

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its inquiry into the events that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, 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.

However, Katoa was cleared to participate in the match and suffered two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the second half.

His state worsened rapidly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field 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 expanding the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.