Katoa investigation: Huge bans issued over head knock horror

The NRL have handed down breach notices to four Tongan rugby league staff members after completing an investigation into how Eli Katoa suffered three head knocks.

Katoa was injured in November playing for Tonga against New Zealand, suffering a sickening head knock in the team's warm-up, before somehow returning to play and suffering two further head knocks, ultimately causing him to suffer a brain bleed and be ruled out for the 2026 season.

The breach notices apply to Tonga's head doctor, assistant doctor, orange shirt trainer, and the yellow shirt trainer.

The doctor, assistant doctor, and orange shirt trainer have been handed 24-month bans from any competition associated with the NRL or ARLC.

The yellow shirt trainer has been handed a formal warning. Each person has five days to respond to the breach notice.

The NRL released the full statement below:

"The NRL has investigated an incident at Eden Park, New Zealand on 2 November 2025 that led to the injury of Tonga XIII Player, Eliesa Katoa," the NRL's statement read.

"The NRL is continuing to support Mr Katoa and his family during his important recovery.

"The investigation has identified a number of serious concerns regarding possible breaches of the NRL Rules and protocols by a number of individuals in the way that Mr Katoa was treated.

"These concerns relate 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 NRL Rules and protocols exist to protect player safety and wellbeing and must be followed.

"All on-field NRL trainers and medical personnel are required to annually complete the NRL’s Elite Head Injury/Concussion protocols as well as maintain minimum standards of medical qualification and education.

"Four Tonga XIII officials have each received a Breach notice under the NRL Rules. The proposed penalties for each individual are as follows:

"Head Doctor - a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months.

"Assistant Doctor - a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of no less than 24 months.

"Orange Shirt Trainer (Head Trainer) – a prohibition from being concerned, whether directly or indirectly, with any Club, Team or Player in the NRL Competitions, Representative Competitions or any other competition conducted under the auspices of the NRL or ARLC for a period of 24 months.

"Additionally, the yellow shirt trainer (Medical Assistant) has been issued with a formal warning.

"All individuals will also be required to undergo further training on their responsibilities under the NRL Rules and the NRL’s policy for the management of possible head injuries and concussion.

"Each individual has five business days to respond to the Breach notice."