Eli Katoa is likely to leave hospital this week but the Storm forward must stay in Auckland until he's cleared to fly, following a series of head knocks suffered in the Pacific Championships.

The Tongan star had fluid drained from his brain following a match against New Zealand.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports Tonga coach Kristian Woolf has remained in Auckland and visited his player in hospital daily alongside the player's family. It's understood the coach won't return to Australia until he is confident Katoa will make a full recovery.



The report states Katoa's condition has improved and he had his best day yet on Monday.

He will remain in hospital until possibly Thursday but then will need to remain in New Zealand until given clearance to fly home to Victoria.

The NRL has in

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