The National Rugby League (NRL) has issued breach notices to four Tonga XIII officials after investigating the incident that left Tongan star Eliesa Katoa seriously injured during the Test match against the Kiwis at Eden Park last month.

The incident has renewed concerns around concussion risks for Pacific players.

Katoa, a Melbourne Storm forward, suffered several head knocks before and during the 2 November match at Eden Park in Auckland.

The 25-year-old was taken to an Auckland hospital and later transferred to Melbourne, where he continues to recover. He has been ruled out of the entire 2026 NRL season.

In a statement released on Monday, the NRL says it is continuing to support Katoa and his family during what it calls an “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 Katoa was treated.

Eliesa Katoa representing Tonga at Eden Park. The Melbourne Storm forward was hospitalised after suffering serious head knocks during the Pacific Championships match against New Zealand. The Kiwis won 4014. Photo/Photosport/Fiona Goodall

"These concerns relate to a possible breakdown in communication between responsible medical and health professionals in relation to the safety of 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.”

The league says all on-field trainers and medical staff must complete elite concussion training every year and maintain minimum medical qualifications.

Eliesa Katoa in hospital recovering earlier. The NRL continues to support him and his family during his recovery, even as suspicions over the handling of his head injuries have resulted in breach notices for Tonga XIII medical staff.

Four Tonga XIII officials cited

The NRL says four Tonga XIII staff members have been issued breach notices. They are:

• Head Doctor - banned from involvement in the NRL or NRL-sanctioned competitions for at least 24 months.

• Assistant Doctor - banned for at least 24 months.

• Orange Shirt Trainer (Head Trainer) - banned for at least 24 months.

• Yellow Shirt Trainer (Medical Assistant) - issued 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 concussions,” the NRL statement read.

Each person has five business days to respond.

Renewed spotlight on Pacific players and concussion risks

Katoa’s situation has reignited discussion about concussion risks for Pacific players, who make up nearly half of the NRL playing group and are over-represented in high-impact forward positions.

Medical experts and player welfare advocates have for years raised concerns that Pacific players often face.

Research from the Auckland University of Technology (AUT) Pacific Wellbeing and Sports Lab shows Pasifika athletes are more likely to normalise injuries and continue playing through head knocks due to cultural expectations of toughness, service, and pride in representing family and nation.

International matches, especially for Pacific nations with smaller budgets, may not always have the same depth of medical staffing or concussion-specialist support available to NRL clubs.

In 2022 and again in 2023, the NRL injury data showed that Pasifika forwards had some of the highest rates of concussion and repeated head knocks, partly due to the physical style of play and the positions they typically occupy.

Katoa’s injury follows other well-known concussion cases involving Pacific players, including Sia Soliola, Ben Matulino, Pita Godinet, and Patrick Herbert, which sparked conversations about long-term brain health and retirement age.

Eliesa Katoa, of the Storm (centre), celebrates scoring a try during the NRL Grand Final match against the Brisbane Broncos at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Sunday, 5 October 2025. Photo/Photosport/AP/Dan Himbrechts

Pacific fans express concern

Online, Tongan supporters have shared messages calling for improved medical oversight during Test matches, with many worried about the long-term impacts on Katoa, who has become one of Tonga’s brightest young stars.

Siosiua Taukeiaho, a former Tongan international, recently spoke publicly about his past struggles recovering from injury and his feelings when he thought his NRL career was over.

Experts told media this week that the situation is “a wake-up call for all Pacific teams”. There have been calls for medical systems for Pasifika sides must match those used at the NRL level.

The player welfare group, Pacific Rugby League Collective, also released a statement saying, “Pacific players deserve the same medical protections and independent concussion assessments as any other athlete, full stop.”

The NRL says it will keep working with Katoa’s family and the Melbourne Storm as his recovery continues.

His long-term playing future remains uncertain, but his club has confirmed he will not return next season.