In a recent development, the NRL has proposed two-year bans for two doctors and a trainer who permitted Eliesa Katoa to continue playing despite multiple head injuries during Tonga’s match against New Zealand on November 2 in the Pacific Championship.

Katoa, a player for the Melbourne Storm, underwent emergency brain surgery due to a brain bleed after suffering three head injuries during the game. One of these incidents occurred when he collided with a teammate during Tonga’s warm-up.

The 25-year-old forward is now sidelined for the 2026 season. After spending two weeks in a hospital in Auckland, he has returned to Melbourne for further recovery.

On Monday, the NRL expressed ongoing support for Katoa and his family. However, the league also highlighted “a number of serious concerns” regarding protocol breaches following a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

An NRL spokesperson stated, “These concerns pertain to a potential breakdown in communication between the responsible medical and health professionals regarding Mr. Katoa’s safety, including a failure to share and disclose critical health information.”

The spokesperson emphasized, “The NRL’s rules and protocols are in place to ensure player safety and wellbeing and must be strictly adhered to.”

Two doctors and a trainer, who allowed Eliesa Katoa to continue playing despite suffering repeated head knocks during Tonga’s Pacific Championship clash against New Zealand on November 2, have been issued with proposed bans of two years by the NRL

Katoa has been recovering well since he suffered the repeated knocks during a Pacific Championship match against New Zealand on November 2 

The NRL launched an investigation into the matter that left Katoa needing emergency surgery to drain fluid from his brain after he suffered three head collisions during a match

Tonga’s head doctor, Dr Peter Hackney, the team’s assistant doctor, Dr Hoani McFater and the team’s orange shirt trainer, Johnathan Crawley, were all handed proposed 24-month suspensions.

The team’s yellow shirt trainer, Steve Dean, was issued with a warning by the NRL.

Dr Hackney has previously worked for the Brisbane Broncos, but currently works for the Dolphins. Dr McFater also works for the New Zealand Warriors, while Crawley works as an assistant physiotherapist at the North Queensland Cowboys.

The NRL set out the reasoning for the proposed bans in its statement.

‘Head Doctor – a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months,’ an NRL spokesperson said.

‘Assistant Doctor – a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months.

The NRL stated that the ‘investigation has identified a number of serious concerns regarding possible breaches of the NRL Rules and protocols’  

‘Orange Shirt Trainer (Head Trainer) – a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of 24 months.’

The statement adds: ‘Additionally, the yellow shirt trainer (Medical Assistant) has been issued with a formal warning.’

The staff members have five business days to respond to the Breach notice, with the NRL adding that they will all be required to undergo ‘further training on their responsibilities under the NRL Rules and the NRL’s policy for the management of possible head injuries and concussion.

It was previously reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that Tonga’s head coach Kristian Woolf was set to be cleared of wrongdoing following the incident.

Katoa had suffered a brutal head collision with his team-mate Lehi Hopoate during the warm-up. The pair had clashed in the air while they attempted to claim a high ball, with Katoa coming off worse.

The 25-year-old was allowed to continue playing but suffered another head knock in the ninth minute of the match.

He left the field for a head injury assessment but returned to the field after passing concussion protocols.

Katoa would sustain another head knock in the 51st minute and was permanently substituted out of the match. He later began to feel unwell on the touchline before being attended to by medics. Katoa was given an oxygen mask on the side of the pitch and subsequently taken to hospital.

A statement from the league added: ‘The NRL is continuing to support Mr Katoa (pictured, centre) and his family during his important recovery’

Storm CEO Justin Rodski stated that there would be no time frame on his recovery, adding that there was a ‘long road ahead’

Thankfully, his club, the Melbourne Storm, have since confirmed that Katoa has been recovering well.

However, Storm CEO Justin Rodski stated that there would be no time frame on his recovery, adding that there was a ‘long road ahead’.

‘Eli’s health and well-being remain our number one priority,’ Rodski said.

‘It is great to have him home safely and under the care of our Club doctor and local specialists. He is improving each day and looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home.

‘In consultation with our doctor and neuro specialists, Eli will not return to training this pre-season and won’t be available for the 2026 season.

‘He has a long road ahead in his recovery and his focus will be on returning to full health before considering any form of return to training.

‘Eli is a much-loved and respected member of our team and club. The Storm Family will rally around him and support him through his recovery.’

The Storm forward has since given an update on his condition on social media.

‘I’m back at home at the moment and I’m in a good place now,’ Katoa wrote on Instagram.

‘My recovery is going well and hopefully I can keep ticking all of the boxes that I need!

‘And to the Storm fans, in God’s timing, I’ll be back soon.’

‘A special thank you to the Storm for all of the help and support that you guys are continuing to provide, I appreciate it,’ he wrote.

‘To my girl, this woman has been amazing, strong and sticking by my side through it all. I appreciate you and I love you so much.’