Overview
- Katoa remains in an Auckland hospital in stable condition, with the club arranging his transfer to Melbourne over the weekend or early next week for specialist review.
- Melbourne Storm chief executive Justin Rodski says it is too early to know when or whether Katoa will play again, stressing the priority is a full recovery.
- The NRL integrity unit has completed its investigation but will release outcomes only after Katoa is discharged and interviewed, with recommendations expected as soon as the end of next week.
- TV cameras captured a heavy pre-game collision with teammate Lehi Hopoate that Tonga officials did not receive before kickoff, after which Katoa was cleared to play and later suffered two more head impacts, seizures, and emergency surgery.
- Hopoate has been targeted by online abuse over the warm-up incident, which his father John describes as accidental, while players have posted messages of support.