Storm star Eliesa Katoa has broken his silence, revealing he is in a \u201cgood place\u201d and that he will \u201cbe back soon\u201d in the wake of his brain surgery that ruled him out for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n
While representing Tonga in the Pacific Championships, Katoa suffered three separate head knocks, with the first coming after a warm-up collision with Lehi Hopoate.<\/p>\n
Katoa was later administered urgent medical help on the sideline after suffering a seizure before he was rushed to hospital, where he was treated for a bleed on the brain.<\/p>\n
Watch The Ashes 2025\/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.<\/a><\/p>\n WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n While it remains to be seen if the gun back rower will ever return to the field, he took to social media on Saturday night with a positive update \u2014 remaining hopeful his career can continue.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m back at home at the moment and I\u2019m in a good place now,\u201d Katoa posted to Instagram.<\/p>\n \u201cMy recovery is going well and hopefully I can keep ticking all of the boxes that I need! And to the Storm fans, in God\u2019s timing \u2018I\u2019ll be back soon\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n Katoa also sent a \u201cmassive thank you\u201d to those in the Tongan camp and everyone who reached out to him during the ugly situation.<\/p>\n \u201cFirst of all, I would like to say how grateful I am to get to where I am today,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cI wanna (sic) say a huge thank you to everyone who prayed, visited, sent me a message and checked in on me. I really appreciate it.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m sorry if I haven\u2019t got back to you, I will get back to you guys soon. To all of my family, thank you for the love and support.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the (Tonga Test team), the team that we love. I wanna (sic) say a massive thank you. The quality time that we had in camp was unreal.<\/p>\n \u201cThank you guys for the help in camp! I love playing for our little Kingdom.<\/p>\n \u201cTo my girl (partner), this woman has been amazing, strong and sticking by my side through it all. I appreciate you and I love you so much.<\/p>\n \u201cA special thank you to the Storm for all of the help and the support that you guys are continuing to provide, I appreciate it.\u201d<\/p>\n Katoa\u2019s ugly injury blow shone a light on the importance of the NRL\u2019s concussion protocols, sparking an NRL investigation.<\/p>\n Speaking on the Kayo Sports NRL Podcast, an emotional Cooper Cronk declared NRL powerbrokers must release the findings of that investigation after Katoa \u201cslipped through the cracks\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThis whole story is very upsetting from a lot of angles, this simply cannot happen, it should never have happened,\u201d Cronk said.<\/p>\n Staggs reacts to new Broncos logo | 06:33<\/p>\n MORE NRL NEWS<\/p>\n NOV 1 LIVE: Star speaks as Tigers standoff rages; four-man Xmas hit list revealed <\/a><\/p>\n STATE OF PLAY: Star Gold Coast could chase as huge issue emerges for new coach <\/a><\/p>\n