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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 after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three separate head injuries in a single match while playing for Tonga in a Pacific Championship match versus New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

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

The team revealed this week that Katoa has finally returned home and is on the mend, having also been briefly admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our top concern,” said Storm CEO a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the supervision of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

However, the CEO confirmed that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our medical team and neuro specialists, Eli won't be back to practice during the preseason and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski finished by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected part of the squad and club, and that the Storm family will rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its investigation into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, 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 Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, Katoa was allowed to play in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the later stages.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he needed medical oxygen on the sideline before being taken off on a medicab.

The league has attempted to address issues around head injuries in the sport in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and expanding the mandatory recovery time for affected players.