Katoa won’t play in 2026 to focus on ‘long recovery ahead’

Eli Katoa has returned safely home to Melbourne after an extended stay in an Auckland hospital, his NRL club has confirmed today, and will continue his recovery from several head injuries at home.

The second rower has also been ruled out of the 2026 NRL season completely, with the Storm eager — and, of course, more than happy —to give the 25-year-old as much time as he needs to recover from the three head knocks he suffered in 90 minutes while representing Tonga in the Pacific Cup (including one in the warmup before the game).

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Katoa had required oxygen after he suffered seizure activity while resting on the sideline during the match, and was rushed to an Auckland hospital. There, he underwent surgery after it was discovered that he had bleeding on the brain.

He saw specialists in Melbourne after returning home and has been cleared for recovery, which will be undertaken throughout the next 12 months and beyond. It’s still unclear whether he’ll ever play rugby league again — but the Storm are only interested in making sure he recovers; any choice around his playing future will be made for 2027 at the earliest.

“Eli’s health and wellbeing remain our number one priority,” Rodski said. “It is great to have him home safely and under the care of our club doctor and local specialists. He is improving each day and looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation.”

Rodski and the club have put no timeframe on Katoa’s recovery or any potential return to training.

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“In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to training this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season,” Rodski confirmed in a Melbourne club release this afternoon. “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 training.

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“Eli is a much-loved and respected member of our team and club,” the Storm chief added.

“The Storm Family will rally around him and support him through his recovery.”

Attention now turns to the NRL’s investigation into how Tonga handled the incident, with The Sporting Base understanding findings there should be released in the next few weeks. Main attention has been on whether Katoa should have played at all, considering the heavy blow he suffered in the warm-up that was originally deemed not to need an assessment.

Katoa suffered another head knock in the first half (and passed his HIA) before returning and then suffering a third blow in 90 minutes that led to his game ending and the eventual seizure emergency on the sideline.

Melbourne is expected to net some salary relief for Katoa through 2026.