San Francisco Frontiers - Tonga's Katoa out of NRL season after brain surgery

The 25-year-old was allowed to play in the Pacific Championship match in Auckland on November 2 despite a heavy head clash from a teammate in the pre-game warm-up.

He then suffered two more high hits during the game before leaving the field and having "seizure activity" on the sidelines.

He was rushed to hospital and had surgery on a brain bleed, it was widely reported.

His Australian club Melbourne Storm said on Tuesday he had now returned to Australia and undergone further testing and assessments before being released.

"Eli's health and wellbeing remain our number one priority," Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said in a statement.

"He is improving each day and looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home."

Rodski said there was no timeframe on his recovery or possible return to training.

"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," he said.

"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."

Following the injury, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the team doctors for allowing Katoa to play on, saying everything had been "done by the book".

"We've got two very experienced doctors there. They've done their usual HIA (head injury assessment). He's passed all that and passed all that well," Woolf said, according to Australian media.

The NRL is investigating the incident.

U.Lee--SFF