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Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa has been officially ruled out the complete 2026 rugby league season as he focuses on rehabilitation at home in his home state, following coming back from a prolonged stay in Auckland where he underwent brain surgery.

Sequence of Events

The 25-year-old sustained three separate head injuries during a single afternoon while representing Tonga in a Pacific Championship fixture versus New Zealand. Subsequently, he experienced seizures while on the sideline, necessitating emergency medical attention.

A surgical procedure to address a brain bleed left Katoa hospitalized and temporarily grounded to his club base.

The club announced recently that Katoa has finally returned home and is recovering, having also been briefly admitted to a Melbourne hospital.

“His health and recovery are our number one priority,” said the club's chief executive a team official. “We are thrilled to have him home safely and under the care of our medical staff and local specialists.”

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Rodski added that the player is making daily progress and is eager to continuing his rehabilitation in a home environment.

However, the CEO confirmed that there is no set timeline for his return to health or a comeback to the field.

“In consultation with our medical team and neurology experts, Katoa won't be back to training during the preseason and won’t be available for the upcoming season,” Rodski declared. “There is a lengthy recovery process in his recovery, and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to training.”

Rodski concluded by saying that Katoa is a highly valued and respected member of our team and club, and that the entire club will support him fully and assist him during his recovery.

Broader Context

The NRL is currently finalizing its inquiry into the circumstances that resulted in Katoa’s surgery.

The talented player, who was named in the competition’s team of the year at the annual awards ceremony, seemed to sustain a head injury during the pregame routine for the international contest.

However, he was cleared to participate in the match and endured two more head impacts before being substituted in the second half.

His state deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen beside the field before being taken off on a medicab.

The NRL has sought to tackle issues around concussions in the sport in recent seasons, introducing stricter enforcement on dangerous contact and lengthening the mandatory recovery time for affected players.