Melbourne Storm backrower and Tonga star Eli Katoa faces the prospect of further weeks in hospital and possibly time in a rehabilitation centre as he begins his slow recovery from brain surgery after he suffered three head knocks against New Zealand 12 days ago.
The 25-year-old remains in hospital in Auckland, and alarming information provided by his club on Friday indicates there is no guarantee one of the game’s best forwards will play again.
Katoa appeared to suffer a concussion in the warmup in the Pacific Championships clash two weeks ago when his head collided with Tonga teammate Lehi Hopoate.
But he was allowed to play, and received two more head impacts during the game, before suffering seizures on the sideline and needing emergency surgery to release bleeding on the brain.
The Storm chief executive, Justin Rodski, said Katoa’s recovery was only beginning.
“He’s in a stable condition, he’s been improving, which is really pleasing,” he said. “He’s still got a long way to go in terms of his short-term, medium-term recovery.”
The Storm are arranging to bring him back to Australia over the weekend or early next week, but he will need to return to hospital in Melbourne where he will meet specialists to guide the next stage of recovery.
“At that point they’ll make the decision on when he’s discharged from there and what his recovery looks like from there, whether that’s heading home, whether that’s heading into some form of rehabilitation centre,” Rodski said.
After reports of Katoa’s improving condition in the past two weeks, Friday’s sobering news underscores the seriousness of the situation.
Rodski said it was too soon to say whether or not he would play again, let alone take the field next season.
“It would be unfair to him and his family to make any type of statements around his short-term or long-term future other than to say that he has our full support,” he said.
“We’re working really closely with him and his family to get him back to Melbourne and give him every possible opportunity to return to full health first and foremost. And then from there we can see whether or not he’s ready, or when he’s ready I should say, to return to playing professional sport.”
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Eli Katoa scores a try during the NRL grand final against the Brisbane Broncos in October. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Storm’s players and staff have been distraught following the incident involving a player widely adored.
Welfare officer Young Tonumaipea and chair Matt Tripp have visited him in hospital, and those in Melbourne have been sending messages of goodwill. The taxing situation comes just weeks after the club lost its second successive grand final.
Rodski said Katoa’s plight put football into perspective but the club’s connection was tight.
“It’s one of the closest connections you’ll ever experience, in my view, and when someone that is so loved and respected is put in such a heartbreaking position, it impacts everybody and it’s been really challenging,” he said.
“But on the flip side of that, the best part about footy clubs is how connected they are and how much the family comes together to support one another through tough periods and this last couple of weeks has been an incredible example.”
The NRL is investigating the circumstances that led to Katoa even taking the field.
Rodski said it was a “really serious incident” that required investigation, but that the club was comfortable in the NRL’s handling of the situation.
