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Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa will miss the complete 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery at home in his home state, 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 afternoon while playing for the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship fixture versus the Kiwis. This led to convulsions while off the field, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A medical operation to address bleeding on the brain resulted in the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded back to Melbourne.

The club announced this week that the forward has finally returned home and is on the mend, having also made a brief visit to a local medical facility.

“His health and recovery are our top concern,” said the club's chief executive a team official. “It is great to have him home safely and under the supervision of our medical staff and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski noted that the athlete is improving each day and is looking forward to pursuing his recovery from home.

Importantly, the executive confirmed that there is no set timeline for Katoa’s recovery or a potential return to training.

“In consultation with our doctor and neurology experts, Eli will not return to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a long road ahead in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness before considering any form of return to rugby league activities.”

Rodski finished by saying that Eli 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 NRL is wrapping up its inquiry into the circumstances that led to the required neurosurgery.

The talented player, who was named in 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.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted 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 concerns around head injuries in the game in recent years, introducing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.