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Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski has admitted the playing future of star backrower Eli Katoa is up in the air, as the 25-year-old prepares to be shifted from an Auckland hospital.
Katoa's next step won't be resting at home - it will be another hospital, this time in Melbourne, as he continues his recovery after brain surgery.
The dynamic forward suffered three head knocks in the space of 90 minutes while playing for Tonga against New Zealand in the recent Pacific Championships, including one collision while warming up with teammate Levi Hopoate.
In disturbing scenes, Katoa required oxygen after suffering seizure activity. He was then rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery due to brain bleeding.
Rodski conceded Katoa will continue to endure some tough days.
'It's been obviously a really challenging few weeks, both for him, the club, his family and he's in a stable condition,' he said on Friday.
Melbourne Storm CEO Justin Rodski has admitted the playing future of star backrower Eli Katoa is unknown, as the 25-year-old recovers from brain surgery
The dynamic forward suffered three head knocks in the space of 90 minutes earlier this month while playing for Tonga against New Zealand in the Pacific Championships
Katoa required oxygen after suffering seizure activity - and was rushed to hospital where he underwent surgery due to brain bleeding
'He's been improving, which is really pleasing, but he's still got a long way to go in terms of his short-term, medium-term recovery.
'The next step for us is getting him back to Australia, so we're hopeful we can get him back to Melbourne… to then see some specialists, to be under the care of our [Storm] doctor here.'
Rodski also stated whether Katoa returns to the field in 2026 - or ever again - remains unknown at this stage.
'I don't know, it's very early and we haven't really looked into that,' he said.
'We are focused on his recovery and his health in the short-term at the moment... so to even speculate or consider his future at this point, it's just far too early.
'We'd love to see him in 2026, clearly, as he's probably been one of our best two or three players in the last two years... but at this point it's really not even something that's on our radar.'
The development comes as the NRL continue to investigate the circumstances behind why Katoa was cleared to play by Tonga after suffering a vicious head knock pre-game at Eden Park on November 2.
Two further collisions on the field against the Kiwis ended his game.
'Clearly a really serious incident,' Rodski said.
'We're really comfortable with the process the NRL has taken and once that's concluded we will then be able to understand the facts... and from there the NRL will decide what takes place.
'For us, we are concerned, clearly it was serious.... but at the same time our focus has been about Eli and his recovery.'
