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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in Victoria, following returning from a prolonged stay in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old suffered three separate head injuries in a single match while playing for Tonga in a international fixture versus the Kiwis. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while off the field, requiring urgent medical care.

A medical operation to address bleeding on the brain resulted in the player in the hospital and initially unable to travel to his club base.

The team announced recently that the forward has now come back and is recovering, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain 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 club doctor and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski noted that the player is making daily progress and is looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

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

“After discussions with our medical team and neurology experts, Eli will not return to practice this pre-season and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” he emphasized. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski concluded 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 NRL is currently finalizing its investigation into the circumstances that led to the required neurosurgery.

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 match and suffered two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

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

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around head injuries in the sport in recent years, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and expanding the mandatory recovery time for affected players.