Tongan and Melbourne Storm forward Eli Katoa is on the mend following a crucial surgery aimed at alleviating pressure on his brain. This procedure became necessary after a series of severe head knocks, which occurred both before and during a match against New Zealand.

Currently, the 25-year-old athlete remains hospitalized in Auckland, but encouraging signs of recovery suggest he could be discharged later this week, pending approval from his medical team.

In a show of unwavering support, Tonga’s coach, Kristian Woolf, has opted to stay in New Zealand until Katoa is deemed fit to return home. Woolf has been a daily visitor at the hospital, standing by Katoa’s side alongside his partner and family.

Those close to the team describe Woolf’s presence as a comforting constant, as he joins Katoa’s loved ones in watching over the player’s recovery. On Monday, Katoa had reportedly made significant progress, marking his best day since the surgery.

With hopes high, Katoa might be cleared to leave the hospital as soon as Wednesday or Thursday. However, he will require medical clearance before he can embark on a flight back to Victoria.

The NRL has completed an investigation into the incident on November 2, which revealed Katoa suffered three separate head knocks, including one during the warm-up that team doctors never saw. 

Eli Katoa suffered three separate head knocks last Sunday afternoon, with one coming in the pre-game warm-up

Katoa posted the above update after he was operated on for a brain bleed that could throw his career into doubt

Tonga coach Kristian Woolf (pictured) has remained in New Zealand with Katoa and has been keeping a bedside vigil

Officials have since confirmed that Tonga’s medical staff were unaware of the initial collision between Katoa and teammate Lehi Hopoate until after the match footage was reviewed.

Katoa returned to the field after passing an initial head injury assessment but was later removed after a third impact left him feeling unwell. 

His recovery is expected to take time, and his NRL future remains uncertain, but his family has expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from fans and players across the rugby league community.

It comes after a medical expert who specialises in rugby league injuries laid bare just what Katoa is enduring.

Katoa was firstly struck in an accidental collision with a teammate during Tonga’s warm-up before the side’s 14-40 loss to New Zealand at Eden Park, then suffered two more blows to the head during the match.

The awful sequence left him needing oxygen on the sideline, before he was taken to hospital and rushed into emergency surgery to treat a significant brain bleed.

Brien Seeney, who is known as ‘The NRL Physio’ and boasts over 180,000 Instagram followers, has now revealed Katoa may have to endure a long stint on the sidelines – if he ever plays again.  

‘Recovery time (for this injury) is uncertain. Injuries we’re more used to seeing in the NRL like hamstring strains and ankle sprains have a much more defined recovery time,’ Seeney said, describing the injury as ‘unprecedented’ for the NRL.

The NRL Physio, Brien Seeney (pictured), has gone into detail about the severity of Katoa’s injury and his treatment

The popular forward (pictured being tackled against New Zealand) was a standout in the Storm’s run to the grand final, and claimed the NRL Dally M Second Rower of the Year award

The Tongan back-rower (pictured during the match) had to be given oxygen on the sideline in distressing scenes

Seeney claims there is no way to predict how long the 25-year-old will be forced out of the game.

‘Significant injury like this is much more up in the air (when compared to the more frequently seen injuries).

‘There have been professional athletes in other sports return after an injury like this, but the timeframes are varied, from three months to 12 months to multiple years.’

He added that a photo Katoa posted from hospital reveals he has been fitted with an arterial line, which is ‘an essential tool’ for managing brain injuries as it provides constant data to monitor swelling and ensure the brain has enough oxygen.

While there has been no official confirmation about Katoa’s surgery, Seeney said the most likely operation is a craniotomy, which involves temporarily removing part of the skull ‘to access the site of the bleed’.

Seeney’s take on the horror injury comes as a legal expert and former club boss predicted the Storm will shock the NRL by taking legal action.

Former Wests Tigers Chairman Lee Hagipantelis believes Melbourne could have a legal case against the Tongan side.

Such legal action would be a first for the competition.

‘The Melbourne Storm will be on to their lawyers, I would suspect. Melbourne is the employer of the player and he (Katoa) is owed a duty of care by a third party,’ Hagipantelis told SEN Radio.

‘The HIA protocols may only apply to the in-game injury, however, the duty of care owed extends well beyond the in-game incident to all incidents before, after and during the game.

‘If there’s a breach of that duty by the third party which causes injury, loss or damage to the employer, there could be a loss of servitude claimed by the employer.’

Fortunately, the 25-year-old is on the mend.

Katoa’s uncle, Reverend Setelo Katoa, explained that his nephew is recovering well after surgery.

‘At the moment, he’s doing much better,’ he told Tongan radio station PMN Tonga.

‘He’s awake, recovering well, and being looked after by medical staff. The family is very thankful for all the support, love, and prayers from everyone.’

Tonga bowed out of the 2025 Pacific Championships following the heavy defeat to the Kiwis, and will switch their focus to preparing for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.