Melbourne Storm player Eli Katoa has announced his engagement to Tuitofa Aloua, the partner who supported him through a significant brain injury that jeopardized his rugby league career.
Katoa, a Tongan international, revealed the engagement on Instagram, expressing gratitude to Aloua for her steadfast support during his recovery. He suffered three head impacts while representing Tonga in November, leading to emergency brain surgery.
"All in God’s timing," Katoa wrote on Instagram. "You are so deserving of everything and more my love. It’s been a challenging year but you still stood by my side and kept supporting me with everything that I do. Thank you for everything you’ve done, looking forward to what life has for us. I love you so much."
Aloua responded with a supportive message, and the announcement drew congratulations from fellow players, including Jahrome Hughes and Xavier Coates of the Melbourne Storm, and Isaiya Katoa of the Dolphins.
The engagement follows a period of rehabilitation after Katoa experienced seizures and required emergency surgery for bleeding on the brain. The injury occurred during a match on November 2, when he collided with a teammate during the warm-up and sustained two further head impacts during the game. His condition worsened on the interchange bench, leading to his hospitalization.
Following his return to Melbourne for further assessment, Katoa was ruled out for the entire 2026 season. The handling of his injuries prompted an investigation by the NRL, which raised concerns about communication among medical staff and the timely sharing of information. The league subsequently issued breach notices proposing penalties for Tonga's head doctor, assistant doctor, and head trainer.
Katoa has previously spoken about Aloua's crucial role in his recovery, acknowledging her strength and constant presence. He has since returned to non-contact training and remained connected with the Melbourne squad, supporting his teammates while focusing on a potential return to playing. In June, Katoa stated his intention to concentrate on his on-field comeback rather than dwelling on the past, noting that family would influence his future decisions regarding professional rugby league.