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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 returning from a prolonged stay in New Zealand where he underwent brain surgery.

What Happened

The 25-year-old athlete suffered three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while representing the Tongan national team in a Pacific Championship match against New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced convulsions while off the field, necessitating urgent medical care.

A surgical procedure to address bleeding on the brain left the player hospitalized and initially unable to travel back to Melbourne.

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

“His health and recovery are our number one priority,” said Storm CEO Justin Rodski. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our medical staff and local specialists.”

The Road to Recovery

Rodski added that the athlete is making daily progress and is eager to pursuing his recovery in a home environment.

However, the CEO stated that there is no timeframe for Katoa’s recovery or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation 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 achieving complete wellness before considering a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected part of the squad and organization, and that the entire club will rally around him and support him through his rehabilitation period.

Broader Context

The NRL is wrapping up its investigation into the circumstances that resulted in 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 pregame routine for the international contest.

Despite this, he was allowed to play in the game and endured two additional blows to the head before being substituted in the second half.

Katoa’s condition worsened rapidly, and he needed medical oxygen beside the field before being removed from the field on a medicab.

The NRL has attempted to address concerns around concussions in the sport in recent years, implementing stricter enforcement on high tackles and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.