Tonga coaching staff offered legal advice as NRL prepares to release Eliesa Katoa report
Key members of the Tongan coaching staff have been offered legal advice, as the NRL prepare to hand down their report into the investigation into Eliesa Katoa’s head knock saga.
Key members of the Tongan coaching staff have been offered legal advice as the NRL prepare to hand down their findings into how the career of Eliesa Katoa has been left hanging in the balance.
There is no suggestion that the offer of legal representation from some of the respective clubs who employ some members of the Tongan support staff is an admission of wrongdoing.
But instead the move is an indication of the enormous gravity of which the investigation is being treated by all parties.
The major development has emerged as News Corp can also reveal that the NRL’s findings into their investigation into how the Melbourne Storm star was permitted to continue playing for Tonga following a heavy head knock suffered during the warm-up of the Pacific Championships earlier this month may need to be ratified by the ARLC Commission before being made public.
Yet again, the possibility of any sanctions needing to be rubber-stamped by the Commission is an indication of just how serious the NRL is treating the shocking outcome for the two-time Dally M backrower of the year.
The investigation has included an interview process with each member of the Tongan coaching staff, including trainers and medical professionals.
There was a suggestion that the NRL had employed a professional lip reader to analyse TV footage that showed any communication between the Tongan support staff at the time of Katoa’s three separate head knocks suffered while playing against the Kiwis at Eden Park earlier this month.
However, that assertion has been denied by the NRL.
It’s believed that the NRL’s investigation process has been met with a genuine willingness to co-operate from the entire Tongan team, who, like the Storm, are eager for Katoa to make a full recovery.
The outstanding forward has returned home to Melbourne after originally enduring 12 days in an Auckland Hospital, where he underwent surgery to ease pressure on his brain.
On medical advice, Katoa has been ruled out of the entire 2026 season by the Storm with the Melbourne club seeking salary cap dispensation to cover his omission from their roster.
Last week, Storm CEO Justin Rodski said it was premature to suggest Katoa or the club will launch legal action against anyone or entity found responsible for the forward’s NRL career being in jeopardy.
“It’s way too early to even consider that to be honest,’’ Rodski told SEN radio.
“That’s something that I’m not even going to speculate on at this point in time.
“Until all the information is in front of us, I don’t think it’s fair on anyone to speculate on that, other than to say that we’ll await the findings of the investigation and that will give a clear picture to what took place.
“For us it’s about Eli’s health and what we can ensure we can replace him on our list for 2026 and ensuring we’re not disadvantaged in any way by that.’’
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Originally published as Tonga coaching staff offered legal advice as NRL prepares to release Eliesa Katoa report
