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The Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the entire 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland after undergoing a neurosurgical procedure.

What Happened

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries in a single afternoon while playing for Tonga in a international fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to address a brain bleed resulted in the player in the hospital and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The team revealed this week that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our top concern,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “It is great to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the athlete is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

Importantly, the CEO stated that there is no set timeline for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“After discussions with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to practice during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” he emphasized. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Katoa is a much loved and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his recovery.

League Investigation

The National Rugby League is currently finalizing its investigation into the events 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 concussion during the warm-up for the international contest.

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

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

The league has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the sport in recent years, introducing crackdowns on high tackles and lengthening the post-concussion stand down period for injured athletes.