Eli Katoa Ruled Out Of Entire 2026 Nrl Season After Head Impacts And Brain Surgery

Melbourne Storm backrower Eli Katoa has been ruled retired for nan full 2026 play arsenic he recovers astatine location successful Victoria, having returned from a prolonged enactment successful Auckland pursuing encephalon surgery.

The 25-year-old suffered three caput injuries successful 1 afternoon while playing for Tonga successful a Pacific Championship lucifer against New Zealand and suffered seizures while connected nan sideline, triggering emergency aesculapian attention.

A process to relieve bleeding connected nan encephalon left Katoa successful infirmary and initially incapable to recreation backmost to Melbourne.

The Storm revealed connected Tuesday that Katoa had yet returned location and was recovering, having besides concisely visited a Melbourne hospital.

“Eli’s wellness and wellbeing stay our number 1 priority,” Storm main executive Justin Rodski said.

“It is awesome to person him location safely and nether nan attraction of our nine expert and section specialists.

“He is improving each time and looking guardant to continuing his rehabilitation from home.”

Rodski said location was nary timeframe connected Katoa’s betterment aliases imaginable return to training.

“In consultation pinch our expert and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to training this pre-season and won’t beryllium disposable for nan 2026 season,” he said.

“He has a agelong roadworthy up successful his betterment and his attraction will beryllium connected returning to afloat wellness earlier considering immoderate shape of return to training.

“Eli is simply a overmuch loved and respected personnel of our squad and club. The Storm family will rally astir him and support him done his recovery.”

The NRL is finalising its investigation into nan circumstances that led to Katoa’s surgery.

The powerful forward, named successful nan competition’s squad of nan twelvemonth astatine nan Dally M awards, appeared to suffer a concussion successful nan warm-up for nan Pacific Championship match.

However, Katoa was allowed to play successful nan match, and suffered 2 much caput impacts earlier coming disconnected successful nan 2nd half.

Katoa’s information deteriorated quickly, and he required oxygen connected nan sideline and was removed from nan section connected a medicab.

The NRL has attempted to reside concerns astir caput injuries successful nan athletics successful caller years, introducing crackdowns connected precocious tackles and expanding nan post-concussion guidelines down period.