Tonga's Katoa out of NRL season after brain surgery

Pallade Veneta - Tonga's Katoa out of NRL season after brain surgery

HEALTH 18.11.2025

Tonga's Katoa out of NRL season after brain surgery / Photo: Izhar KHAN - AFP

Tonga forward Eli Katoa was Tuesday ruled out of the 2026 National Rugby League season after brain surgery following multiple head knocks during a Test against New Zealand.

Change text size:

The 25-year-old was allowed to play in the Pacific Championship match in Auckland on November 2 despite a heavy head clash from a teammate in the pre-game warm-up.

He then suffered two more high hits during the game before leaving the field and having "seizure activity" on the sidelines.

He was rushed to hospital and had surgery on a brain bleed, it was widely reported.

His Australian club Melbourne Storm said on Tuesday he had now returned to Australia and undergone further testing and assessments before being released.

"Eli's health and wellbeing remain our number one priority," Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said in a statement.

"He is improving each day and looking forward to continuing his rehabilitation from home."

Rodski said there was no timeframe on his recovery or possible return to training.

"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 said.

"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."

Following the injury, Tonga coach Kristian Woolf defended the team doctors for allowing Katoa to play on, saying everything had been "done by the book".

"We've got two very experienced doctors there. They've done their usual HIA (head injury assessment). He's passed all that and passed all that well," Woolf said, according to Australian media.

The NRL is investigating the incident.

C.Grillo--PV

India proposes more import entry points for drugs and medical devices

New Delhi The Union Health Ministry has proposed expanding the network of authorised import gateways for drugs, medical devices and cosmetics by adding several inland container depots, a special economic zone and an international airport to facilitate faster clearance and improve supply chain efficiency. The proposed amendment to Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, seeks to include additional entry points in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana and Karnataka, as reported by a gazette notification issued by the

Why Pregnancy Cost Estimates Fail: A Family’s $9,000 Surprise

Grace Griffin thought she had calculated her pregnancy expenses accurately until bills exceeded $9,000—more than triple her insurer’s estimate. Her experience highlights a systemic failure in healthcare transparency, as federal rules designed to provide accurate cost predictions remain unimplemented. With maternity billing codes set to change next year, experts urge parents to master insurance details and verify every bill.

Kuwait inspectors destroy 115 kilograms of unverified meat in Farwaniya

KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Food and Nutrition (PAFN) issued nine violation reports and destroyed 115 kilograms of meat of unknown origin during an inspection tour of food establishments in Farwaniya Governorate, the authority announced on Monday. The tour was carried out by the authority’s Farwaniya food inspection department.

Pallade Veneta - Tonga's Katoa out of NRL season after brain surgery