NRL proposes lengthy bans for Tonga officials following Katoa head knocks

[ad_1] Three Tonga crew officers are dealing with two-year suspensions following the NRL's investigation into the incident that pressured Eli Katoa out of the 2026 season.

Katoa suffered a number of head knocks throughout Tonga's Pacific Championship Check towards New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park on November 2.

He's persevering with his restoration from the top knocks that required him to have mind surgical procedure.

The NRL issued breach notices to the Tonga crew's head and assistant docs, and head coach regarding Katoa's on-field remedy.

The breach notices suggest the top and assistant docs be banned from working with any membership, crew or participant in NRL and consultant competitions for at least two years.

The proposed ban for the top coach is 2 years, whereas the NRL has additionally handed down a proper warning to the crew's medical assistant.

Eli Katoa to overlook 2026 NRL season Melbourne Storm star Eli Katoa will miss the 2026 NRL season as he continues his restoration from head knocks that pressured him to have mind surgical procedure.

The crew officers have 5 enterprise days to answer the breach notices.

"The NRL is continuous to assist Mr Katoa and his household throughout his vital restoration," an NRL assertion learn.

"The investigation has recognized a lot of critical considerations relating to potential breaches of the NRL guidelines and protocols by a lot of people in the best way that Mr Katoa was handled.

"These considerations relate to a potential breakdown in communication between accountable medical and well being professionals in relation to the security of Mr Katoa, together with by means of a failure to share and disclose data that was important to the well being of the participant.

"The NRL guidelines and protocols exist to guard participant security and wellbeing and have to be adopted."

Katoa collided with teammate Lehi Hopoate earlier than the Check towards New Zealand after which obtained two extra head knocks through the match.

He suffered seizure exercise on the sideline and was taken to hospital, the place he had surgical procedure on a mind bleed.

The Storm back-rower remained in Auckland for weeks earlier than returning to Melbourne, the place he underwent additional testing underneath the care of hospital specialists.