Overview
- Melbourne Storm confirmed Eliesa Katoa suffered seizure activity, required surgery for bleeding on the brain and remains in a stable condition in an Auckland hospital, with club staff in close contact with treating doctors.
- Reports indicate Katoa will stay in New Zealand for several days and is not expected to fly back to Melbourne until next week as he continues his recovery.
- Katoa sustained a heavy warm-up collision with teammate Lehi Hopoate without a formal HIA, then passed an in-game HIA after a 10th‑minute head knock before a second‑half incident triggered a second HIA and ruled him out under the two‑HIA rule.
- The NRL has opened a review with the chief medical officer monitoring Katoa’s condition, and the RLPA is seeking information as part of separate inquiries.
- Tonga officials say they did not see the broadcast replay of the warm-up hit until after full-time, highlighting a gap in procedures because independent doctors monitor only in-game incidents and there is no requirement to review warm-up footage.