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The Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he continues his recovery at home in his home state, following returning from a extended period in New Zealand where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries in a single match while playing for the Tongan national team in a international fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

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

The team announced recently that Katoa has now come back and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain 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 specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

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

“In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Katoa won't be back to training this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “There is a long road ahead in his recovery, and his focus will be on achieving complete wellness before considering a potential comeback to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected part of the squad and club, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the circumstances that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The powerful forward, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, appeared to suffer a concussion during the warm-up for the international contest.

However, Katoa was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a stretcher.

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