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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the complete 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery at home in Victoria, after coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries during a single match while representing Tonga in a international match versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while on the sideline, requiring urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to address bleeding on the brain left Katoa in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club announced recently that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” stated Storm CEO a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

Importantly, the executive 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, Katoa will not return to practice during the preseason and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to training.”

Rodski finished by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and organization, and that the Storm family will support him fully and assist him during his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing 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 recent Dally M awards, seemed to sustain a head injury during the warm-up for the international contest.

However, he was allowed to play in the game and suffered two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

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

The league has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the game in recent seasons, implementing crackdowns on dangerous contact and expanding the post-concussion stand down period for affected players.