Eliesa Katoa rejoins Tonga as trainer a year on from brain injury

Storm forward Eliesa Katoa has rejoined Tonga's World Cup squad as team trainer and cultural adviser, almost a year after suffering three head knocks on international duty that led to bleeding on the brain and emergency surgery. Katoa is yet to return to playing but is hoping to be cleared for the Storm in 2027, and has been training with Melbourne without contact. Tongan captain Addin Fonua-Blake praised his loyalty, comparing his commitment to the jersey with that of Andrew Fifita and Jason Taumalolo, and said Katoa would be in Tonga's back row if fit.

By David Riccio, CODE Sports — read the full story