Storm superstar Eli Katoa’s uncle has revealed the gun back rower is in a stable condition following an emergency surgery to drain fluid from his brain.

While representing Tonga in the Pacific Championships, Katoa suffered numerous head knocks, the first of which came in warm-up when he collided with teammate Lehi Hopoate.

Footage of that ugly impact was broadcast, but Tonga’s medical staff reportedly cleared him to take the field before he went on to suffer two more head knocks.

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The first came in the 10th minute, passing that HIA after an impact with teammate Will Penisini before he was forced off after a tackle on Kiwis forward Naufahu Whyte.

Ultimately, Katoa suffered delayed concussion symptoms, was rushed to hospital and given oxygen after experiencing seizure activity.

A surgery to remedy a bleed on the brain also took place, and Katoa’s uncle, Reverend Setelo said on Tongan radio his nephew had been moved from the ICU to a general ward.

“At the moment, he’s doing much better,’’ Reverend Setelo told PMN.

“He has been moved from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) to a general ward in the hospital.

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“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.”

Katoa also provided his own update from hospital, taking to Instagram and writing: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

“Appreciate everyone for checking in, sorry if I haven’t got back to any of you guys but I really appreciate all the love and the messages Ofa atu (love you).”

The NRL is reportedly reviewing the events that took place in the lead-up to Katoa’s ugly diagnosis, and Tonga’s medical staff have endured a wave of criticism following the incident.

Former New Zealand international Shaun Johnson was at the ground working in the media and was appalled with how it was all handled.

“I feel a bit angry about the situation,” he said on the Play on Sport Show.

“I don’t get how it can even get to that point, but from a player’s view, we just hope that Eli’s all good.

“Anyone that’s been in that situation or has seen teammates in that situation, it’s the worst thing to see.

Katoa stretchered off late in Tonga loss | 00:43

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“I’m just going to say it – there is going to be fallout over this. There are going to be some heads that are rolled because I do not know how Eli Katoa was allowed to take the field.

“In warm-up, he has a shoulder to the head… loose body to the ground. All I thought straight away when I saw that was if that happened in a game or if that happened at training during the week, he’s done and they’d probably go cat one on it so he wouldn’t even sit an HIA and would be done.”

Commentator Andrew Voss also labelled the situation “indefensible” on radio, while Johnson explained that the incident made him feel “sick”.

“It’s not what you want to see, and it’s not what a player should ever go through,” he said.

“I just hope Eli’s all good. I wish it never got to that point, and I hope it never gets to that point for our players ever again because our players will always want to play.”