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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, after coming back from a extended period in New Zealand after undergoing brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries in a single afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match against the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while off the field, necessitating urgent medical care.

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

The team revealed recently that the forward has finally returned home and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our number one priority,” said Storm CEO a team official. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski added that the player is making daily progress and is eager to pursuing his recovery from home.

However, the CEO stated that there is no timeframe for his return to health or a potential return to training.

“After discussions with our doctor and neurology experts, Katoa won't be back to training this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process ahead of him, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to training.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Eli is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will rally around him 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 league's best lineup at the recent Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the game and endured two additional blows to the head before coming off in the later stages.

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

The NRL has attempted to address issues around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, introducing crackdowns on dangerous contact and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.