In short:

Eli Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season after undergoing surgery to relieve a brain bleed following multiple head knocks while playing for Tonga.

The Melbourne Storm star collided with teammate Lehi Hopoate before a Test against New Zealand, then copped two more hits to the head during the game.

Storm chief executive Justin Rodski said Katoa was back home in Melbourne after more tests and is "improving each day".