The NRL has issued breach notices proposing two-year bans for Tonga's head doctor, assistant doctor and head trainer over the handling of Eliesa Katoa's multiple head knocks during the Pacific Cup Test against New Zealand in November. The governing body said on Monday that an investigation had identified “a number of serious concerns” regarding possible breaches of rules and protocols in the care of the Melbourne Storm forward.
Katoa, 25, required surgery for bleeding on the brain after suffering seizure activity on the sideline during the match in Auckland. He was first concussed during the warm-up when he collided with Lehi Hopoate's shoulder, but Tonga's staff determined he did not require a full head injury assessment and cleared him to start. He later left the field in the first half after a head clash, returned after passing an HIA, then suffered a third head knock in the second half.
In a statement, the NRL said the concerns related to “a possible breakdown in communication between responsible medical and health professionals in relation to the safety of Mr Katoa, including through a failure to share and disclose information that was vital to the health of the player.” The proposed bans would prevent the three officials from working with any club, team or player in any competition within the NRL's remit, and they would be required to undergo concussion training.
The team's yellow shirt trainer, who conducted the initial on-field assessment of Katoa in the warm-up, has been issued a formal warning. No penalties were proposed for any member of Tonga's coaching staff, including head coach Kristian Woolf, who was cleared of wrongdoing.
Katoa has already been ruled out of the 2026 NRL season, with no clear timeline for his return. The NRL has not recommended changes to injury surveillance, despite the warm-up period emerging as a potential gap in the system. Unlike mid-week contract training and matches, warm-ups are not required to be filmed, and Tonga officials have maintained they did not see a replay of the collision until after the match.
