A medical specialist in rugby league injuries has provided insight into the severe challenges facing Melbourne Storm’s Eli Katoa, following his recent surgery prompted by a series of head injuries sustained last Sunday.

Katoa’s ordeal began with an accidental collision with a teammate during Tonga’s warm-up ahead of their 14-40 defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park. He then suffered two additional head impacts during the game.

The sequence of injuries resulted in Katoa needing oxygen on the sidelines, after which he was transported to the hospital for emergency surgery to address a serious brain bleed.

Brien Seeney, better known as ‘The NRL Physio’ with a substantial following of over 180,000 on Instagram, has indicated that Katoa might face an extended recovery period—and there is uncertainty about whether he will return to the field.

“The recovery timeline for this injury is unpredictable,” Seeney explained. “Unlike more common NRL injuries such as hamstring strains and ankle sprains, this type of injury does not have a defined recovery period,” he added, noting its rarity in the NRL.

Eli Katoa suffered three separate head knocks last Sunday afternoon, with one coming in the pre-game warm-up

The Tongan back-rower (pictured during the match) had to be given oxygen on the sideline in distressing scenes 

Katoa posted the above update after he was operated on for a brain bleed that could throw his career into doubt

Seeney emphasized the uncertainty surrounding the 25-year-old’s return to the sport, making it impossible to predict how long he will be sidelined.

‘Significant injury like this is much more up in the air (when compared to the more frequently seen injuries).

‘There have been professional athletes in other sports return after an injury like this, but the time frames are varied, from three months to 12 months to multiple years.’

He added that a photo Katoa posted from hospital reveals he has been fitted with an arterial line, which is ‘an essential tool’ for managing brain injuries as it provides constant data to monitor swelling and ensure the brain has enough oxygen.

While there has been no official confirmation about Katoa’s surgery, Seeney said the most likely operation is a craniotomy, which involves temporarily removing part of the skull ‘to access the site of the bleed’.

Seeney’s take on the horror injury comes as a legal expert and former club boss predicted the Storm will shock the NRL by taking legal action.

Former Wests Tigers Chairman Lee Hagipantelis believes Melbourne could have a legal case against the Tongan side.

Such legal action would be a first for the competition.

The NRL Physio, Brien Seeney, has become one of the rugby league world’s most trusted voices when it comes to serious injuries

Lee Hagipantelis (pictured) has more than 30 years of legal experience and was Wests Tigers chairman from 2019 to 2023

The popular forward was a standout in the Melbourne Storm’s run to the grand final, and claimed the 2025 NRL Dally M Second Rower of the Year award

‘The Melbourne Storm will be on to their lawyers, I would suspect. Melbourne is the employer of the player and he (Katoa) is owed a duty of care by a third party,’ Hagipantelis told SEN Radio.

‘The HIA protocols may only apply to the in-game injury, however, the duty of care owed extends well beyond the in-game incident to all incidents before, after and during the game. 

‘If there’s a breach of that duty by the third party which causes injury, loss or damage to the employer, there could be a loss of servitude claimed by the employer.’

Fortunately, the 25-year-old is on the mend.  

Katoa’s uncle, Reverend Setelo Katoa, explained that his nephew is recovering well after surgery.

‘At the moment, he’s doing much better,’ he told Tongan radio station PMN Tonga.

‘He’s awake, recovering well, and being looked after by medical staff. The family is very thankful for all the support, love, and prayers from everyone.’ 

Tonga bowed out of the 2025 Pacific Championships following the heavy defeat to the Kiwis, and will switch their focus to preparing for the 2026 Rugby League World Cup.