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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 his home state, after returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three head impacts during a single afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, requiring urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to relieve bleeding on the brain left Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club revealed recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing are our top concern,” stated the club's chief executive Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him back home and under the supervision of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

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

“In consultation with our medical team and neuro specialists, Katoa will not return to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health prior to contemplating any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by noting that Katoa is a highly valued and respected part of the squad and club, and that the entire club will rally around him and assist him during his recovery.

League Investigation

The NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in the required neurosurgery.

The powerful forward, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, Katoa was cleared to participate in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the later stages.

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

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the game in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.