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

Sequence of Events

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

A medical operation to relieve a brain bleed resulted in the player in the hospital and temporarily grounded to his club base.

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

“Eli’s health and wellbeing are our top concern,” stated the club's chief executive a team official. “We are thrilled to have him back home and under the supervision of our club doctor and specialist physicians.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

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

Importantly, 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 neuro specialists, Katoa won't be back to training during the preseason and is ruled out for the 2026 season,” Rodski declared. “He has a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his primary goal will be on achieving complete wellness prior to contemplating a potential comeback to training.”

Rodski concluded by noting that Eli is a much loved and respected member of our team and club, and that the entire club will support him fully and support him through his recovery.

Broader Context

The National Rugby League is wrapping up its investigation into the events that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The powerful forward, who was selected for the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the Pacific Championship match.

Despite this, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two additional blows to the head before coming off 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 concussions in the sport in recent years, implementing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for injured athletes.