\u201cEli is a much loved and respected member of our team and club. The Storm family will rally around him and support him through his recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katoa is contracted to the Storm until the end of 2027.<\/p>\n
Under NRL rules, the Storm will be eligible for cap relief because Katoa was injured while on representative duty.<\/p>\n
Katoa is earning about $600,000 a season, but there are no top-quality back-rowers on the market. They have already farewelled halfback Jonah Pezet (Parramatta), and cut fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen and prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona since the grand final loss to Brisbane, and the loss of Katoa \u2013 and his persistent attacking threat on the edges \u2013 leaves a giant hole.<\/p>\n
The NRL\u2019s insurance will also cover most of Katoa\u2019s salary as he was playing in the Pacific Championships.<\/p>\n
The NRL has completed its investigation into why Katoa was allowed to play after TV cameras captured him being knocked out by teammate Lehi Hopoate<\/a> before kick-off. Katoa then suffered two further head knocks during the match. The findings have not been released.<\/p>\n Tonga were privately disappointed they were not made aware of the footage showing Hopoate colliding with Katoa until after full-time, despite it being replayed on the live broadcast before the match. Tonga officials said that had they seen the vision, they would not have allowed Katoa to play.<\/p>\n