Eliesa Katoa

Eliesa Katoa (born 3 January 2000) is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a second-row forward for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Eliesa Katoa
Personal information
Full nameEliesa Katoa
Born (2000-01-03) 3 January 2000
Hihifo, Niuatoputapu, Tonga
Height193 cm (6 ft 4 in)
Weight110 kg (17 st 5 lb)
Playing information
PositionSecond-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2020–22 New Zealand Warriors 46 10 0 0 40
2023– Melbourne Storm 21 6 0 0 24
Total 67 16 0 0 64
Source: [1]
As of 22 September 2023

Early life

Katoa was born and raised in the village of Koulo in the Ha'apai group of islands of Tonga,[2] he then moved to New Zealand to take up a scholarship at Tamaki College, Auckland in 2017 playing rugby union.[2] He was then signed by the New Zealand Warriors. [3]

Playing career

Katoa made his NRL debut in round 1 of the 2020 NRL season for the New Zealand Warriors against Newcastle Knights starting from the bench, in the club's 20–0 loss.[2][4] He scored his first try in the Warriors' 18–0 win over the St. George Illawarra Dragons in round 3 of the same season. Katoa was one of a few Warriors players who were initially not allowed to travel back to New Zealand during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.[5][6]

He was released from his Warriors contract in 2022 to join the Melbourne Storm in 2023 on a two year contract.[7][8][9][10]

After impressing during the 2023 NRL preseason challenge,[11] Katoa made his Melbourne Storm debut against the Parramatta Eels in round 1 of the 2023 NRL season, and was presented with his debut jersey (cap 226).[3] He would play his 50th NRL match in round 4 of the 2023 season. Katoa played 21 games for Melbourne in the 2023 NRL season as the club finished third on the table. Katoa played in Melbourne's preliminary final loss against Penrith.[12]

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. Gilhooly, Daniel (9 June 2020). "Katoa's family oblivious to Warriors deeds". Sydney. AAP Sports News Wire.
  3. "Eliesa Katoa becomes player 226". melbournestorm.com.au. 2 March 2023.
  4. "Knights v Warriors". National Rugby League. Retrieved 1 June 2020.
  5. Proszenko, Adrian (31 July 2020). "The border ban; and the homeless Warrior". The Timaru Herald. Timaru, New Zealand: Stuff Limited. p. 22.
  6. Long, David (30 July 2020). "Re-entry blocked for Warriors". Dominion Post. Wellington, New Zealand: Stuff Limited. p. 32.
  7. Becht, Richard (8 August 2022). "Katoa granted request for release at end of season". warriors.kiwi. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  8. Molyneux, Mark (8 August 2022). "Melbourne Storm announces the signing of Eliesa Katoa on two-year deal". The Sporting News. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  9. Dunn, Alex (8 August 2022). "EX-COACH SLAMS WARRIORS, BLAMES KATOA DEPARTURE ON DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM THAT "DOESN'T WORK"". sen.com.au. Sports Entertainment Network. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  10. Long, David (8 August 2022). "Eliesa Katoa to leave Warriors for Melbourne Storm next season". stuff.co.nz. Stuff Limited. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  11. Ward, Roy (19 February 2023). "Newcomers Katoa, Warbrick shine as Storm come back to beat Warriors in Christchurch". smh.com.au. Nine Media. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  12. "NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm season review". www.sportingnews.com.
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