First-year Storm forward, Eliesa 'Eli' Katoa is set to celebrate his 50th NRL game as the Melbourne side take the Wests Tigers Friday night at AAMI Park.
Born and raised in Tonga, Katoa moved to New Zeleand thanks to a scholarship from Tamaki College in 2017, allowing him to study while training.
He begun his foray into professional footy playing rugby union for the Tamaki College First XV in Auckland's elite competition, before joining the Warriors in 2020.
Making a huge impression in his debut season, the 23-year-old went on to score 6 times securing an almost permanent position in the second row within the Warriors squad.
After playing 46 games at NRL level, the Tongan made the switch to Melbourne Storm at the end of the 2022 season on a two year contract.
Pulling on the purple jersey for the first three rounds of the 2023, Katoa has proved himself an intimidating presence on the edge with capacity to play big minutes which has seen him put in 80 minute shifts in each of his three appearances for Storm during the opening rounds.
Eliesa Katoa
49 NRL games
10 tries
