ARL Commission boss Peter V’landys says the NRL is investigating world-leading concussion technology as he opened up about the Eli Katoa saga, warning: “This must never happen ever again.”
Code Sports can exclusively reveal the ARL Commission is in high-level negotiations with American concussion experts, with V’landys ramping-up the fight on player safety this season.
“We will be leading the way on concussions in Australia,” the ARLC chair said.
V’landys admits he was left heartbroken by the disgraceful concussion fiasco involving Storm back-rower Katoa, who will miss the entire 2026 season after a series of head knocks playing for Tonga in last year’s Pacific Championships.
Eli Katoa x x x x
Eli Katoa x x x x
Television footage captured Katoa involved in a heavy collision with a teammate in the warm-up to Tonga’s clash against New Zealand.
Katoa went on to take part in the game and suffered another head knock, leading to the distressing sight of the Storm star suffering a seizure on the bench before being rushed to hospital.
Three Tonga staffers were hit with breach notices by the NRL proposing two-year bans.
There is no guarantee Katoa, who required surgery to ease bleeding on the brain, will ever play rugby league again.
The Katoa ordeal comes as veteran Manly prop Jake Trbojevic prepares to wear a cutting-edge ‘bubble-wrap’ headgear in round 1, conceding he could be one major concussion away from retirement.
NEVER AGAIN’
V’landys says he has been deeply affected by Katoa’s health battle – and has vowed to get even tougher on concussions.
“I will make sure we never have another Eli Katoa situation,” V’landys said.
“This whole thing has been heartbreaking.
“I haven’t spoken to Eli but at some point I will go down to Melbourne and see him.
“We all hope he is making a good recovery.
“I have been very vocal on player safety and we will continue down that road.
“At times, it’s not a popular decision but the protection of the player is paramount.”
V’landys stressed the Tonga staff would be afforded “due process”, but said the Katoa incident is evidence the NRL cannot be complacent on head-trauma injuries.
He is confident NRL clubs put player welfare ahead of winning football games.
Katoa suffers numerous head knocks
“Of course we can learn from it and we will,” he said.
“You can learn from all mistakes.
“We have worked so hard on all these measures around concussion and look what happens – you don’t follow the guidelines and processes and it can lead to catastrophe.
“These people (Tonga staffers) have been given show-cause notices. I don’t want to corrupt the process, because they have been given the opportunity to defend themselves.
“They have to be given due process, but we’re going to make sure this never happens again.
“The NRL clubs have been fantastic.
“This was an international game and mistakes were made.
“Week in, week out, clubs don’t make these mistakes.
“I have to give credit to the trainers and doctors at the NRL clubs because they are very responsible. It probably wouldn’t have happened in a club game. I hope this was a one-off.”
Katoa is back at training with the Storm, but will miss the entire 2026 season.
Katoa is back at training with the Storm, but will miss the entire 2026 season.
THE CONCUSSION FIGHT
V’landys first laid down a marker five years ago on the eve of Magic Round in 2021.
The ARL Commission announced a strict crackdown on high-tackles, leading to 14 sin-bins and three send-offs in a wild weekend at Suncorp Stadium.
In 2023 Newcastle and Queensland Origin champion Kalyn Ponga flew to Canada for concussion testing which cleared him to return to the NRL after four head knocks in a year.
The NFL’s concussion battles are well documented – the American sporting monolith reached a $1 billion settlement in 2015 after 14,000 head-trauma claims were filed.
The NRL has become more vigilant in recent years – an independent doctor can order players from the field for a Head Injury Assessment – and V’landys revealed the code is exploring revolutionary US technology to help combat concussions.
The NRL’s strict crackdown on high tackles began in Magic Round 2021. Here Josh Papali’i was sent-off for a shot on Bulldogs winger Tui Katoa. Picture: NRL Photos
The NRL’s strict crackdown on high tackles began in Magic Round 2021. Here Josh Papali’i was sent-off for a shot on Bulldogs winger Tui Katoa. Picture: NRL Photos
“We are investigating some technologies in the US at the moment and we will be making a big announcement in the near future,” V’landys said.
“We have done more work on concussion than anyone else. We have put in new processes to ensure our players are as safe as possible and we will continue to do so.
“We have been working on something for over 12 months and we believe it will be groundbreaking.”
V’landys declined to disclose the concussion technology due to the sensitivity of negotiations, but said it was important the NRL doesn’t overreact on the concussion and CTE debate.
“We have to differentiate between what is going to be of benefit for player welfare … and what will be a commercial opportunity for others,” he said.
“We are being very careful with this (concussion investigation).
“We won’t be conned by snake-oil salesmen.
“A lot of people who are coming up with ideas (for concussion assessments) are doing it for commercial reasons.
“My job is that it has to benefit the player and the game. I’m not here to make money for multinational companies.
“I’m here to make sure our players are in the safest possible environment.”
