'No symptoms': NRL star Eli Katoa gives first update after brain surgery

The rugby league community was left in shock last November when Tonga forward Eli Katoa was rushed to the hospital after suffering a seizure at Eden Park.

Following three head knocks during a clash against the Kiwis, the 26-year-old underwent emergency brain surgery in Auckland.

Now, for the first time since the incident, Katoa has spoken publicly to share a positive update.

"I’m healthy now," Katoa told the Melbourne Storm’s official website.

"I've been training hard the last two, three months and no symptoms."

It was a scary time for Katoa who’s thankful to his friends, family and fans for all the support he received.

“Especially I want to give a really good shout out to my girlfriend Tui. She was the one that was right by my side."

Katoa, regarded as one of the best second-rowers in the game, has been ruled out of the 2026 NRL season as he focuses on his rehabilitation.

But right from the moment he woke up in hospital, he's been determined to get back onto the field.

"The first thing I say to her [Tui] was to watch me fight through this and I will definitely come back."

Being on the sideline has been tough for Katoa who’s restricted to non-contact training with the Storm squad over the past couple of months.

"I was watching them on the last weekend, the last trial, actually started to cry, wishing that I was, you know, I was there with them."

Katoa has been wearing the trainer’s ‘blue bib’ for the Storm during pre-season matches and wants to help out any way he can while he’s out of action.

"This club here, they're so good to me and they're just trying to keep me involved with whatever we do here," Katoa said.

"My main focus at the moment is keep doing my rehab and hopefully I'll be out there with them sometime soon."

The Storm open their season against the Eels on Thursday night.