Channel Nine commentator and former NRL great Paul Gallen has called on lifetime ban action to be considered following the handling of Eli Katoa after he suffered a trio of head knocks during the Tonga vs New Zealand international rugby league game on November 2.<\/p>\n
The Melbourne Storm star\u2019s career remains in jeopardy after being ruled out of the entire 2026 NRL season as he recovers from brain surgery.<\/p>\n
Katoa copped an accidental hit to his head from teammate Lehi Hopoate in the pre-game warm up – however his medical team cleared him to play to which he suffered another two head knocks during the game.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old looked distressed while sitting on the bench after the final knock midway through the second half, with a bloodshot eye, a cut on his cheek, and blood streaming down his face.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He suffered \u201cseizure activity\u201d and was then given an oxygen mask.<\/p>\n
It was later revealed Katoa suffered brain bleeding because of the incident and had to undergo brain surgery at a hospital in Auckland.<\/p>\n
After spending more than a week in hospital with the support of his partner and mother he returned to Melbourne to continue his recovery.<\/p>\n
The NRL are finalising its investigation into how Katoa was allowed to play on, as Tongan officials face heavy scrutiny.<\/p>\n
Former State of Origin NSW Blues great calls on lifetime bans<\/p>\n
Gallen, a former 348-game Cronulla Sharks lock and heavyweight boxer, told the Sydney Morning Herald a lifetime ban should be looked at for anyone who oversaw the handling of the incident.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyone who has not done their job properly in this matter that has clearly let the player down should be sidelined for a minimum of a year at least, if not a life ban,\u201d the Channel Nine commentator said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was ridiculous. Eli is out for a year at least, and in judicial cases that\u2019s a factor, but this is much more serious. What happened to Katoa was a disgrace.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow\u2019s Katoa going to be in the next 10-20 years? No one yet has taken any responsibility for this. There\u2019s now an investigation. Well, the NRL needs to come down like a tonne of bricks on the person or those responsible and a year is the minimum ban. This could maybe cost him his career. But forget that, it could have cost him his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had the greatest 2025 season, and unfortunately, it will end like this. Someone needs to be held responsible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Katoa’s family speaks out over ugly incident<\/p>\n
Katoa\u2019s family has refused to point the finger at anyone. with the star\u2019s uncle Reverend Setelo Katoa telling radio station PMN it wasn\u2019t the fault of the coaches or doctors.<\/p>\n