Golden Boot winner issues Katoa update, as Walters reveals Kangaroos position

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Golden Boot winner Harry Grant has declared club teammate Eliesa Katoa would be “doing everything he can to get back”, after the Tongan powerhouse suffered a traumatic brain injury which has thrown his career in limbo.

Grant, accepting the award for the best international player of the year following his Ashes heroics for the Kangaroos, revealed he had been in contact with his Storm forward, however was yet to see him having not returned to Melbourne since coming back from England.

Katoa suffered a brain bleed after being the victim of three separate head knocks which ultimately required surgery while playing in the Pacific Championships, and remained in hospital in Auckland for nearly two weeks before being ruled out for the entire 2026 season.

Harry Grant (right) has backed Eli Katoa (left) to make an emphatic comeback in 2027.

That will include next year’s Rugby League World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, with the fallout of the ordeal leading to the NRL issuing breach notices – with proposed two-year suspensions – to three Tongan team doctors and trainers, with a fourth receiving a formal warning.

But Grant, who received his trophy from childhood idol Darren Lockyer in Brisbane, believed Katoa would ensure he made his comeback to the field in the future, with the latter taking to social media to declare he would “be back soon”.

“I haven’t had a chance to see him, I haven’t been back down to Melbourne, but I’ve definitely been in contact, and we’ve spoken. I think typical Eli, he’s very positive,” Grant said.

“The way he goes about his business is pretty inspiring week in week out, let alone what he’s going through now, so we’re going to all be supporting him. We’ve got his back, and I think the club’s done tremendous so far.

“As long as we can keep doing that, he can get the right advice and as long as we support him as teammates, he’ll be in a good position. Knowing Eli, he’ll be doing everything he can to get back.”

In revelling from the 3-0 whitewash of England across October and November, Grant issued a plea for Australia’s World Cup coach to be locked in sooner rather than later, with Kevin Walters unsigned beyond the Ashes series.

The Queensland Maroons hooker felt for such a big showcase on home soil, the Kangaroos needed sufficient time to plan if they were to lift the silverware for the 13th time, a luxury which was not afforded to Walters and his staff after the former Brisbane Broncos mentor was only confirmed on a three-game deal in late July.

Walters harbours a close rapport with many of the Kangaroos players, including strike centre Kotoni Staggs who suggested he would confirm his availability for Australia rather than Tonga if he remained in the job.

Leading prop Tino Fa’asuamaleaui is also yet to lock in whether he represents Australia or Samoa at the World Cup, with Walters adamant he would “support him in any way, whichever way he goes” but was yet to have a conversation with him about his intentions.

“I think everyone’s backing Kevvie, if they give him the opportunity now, then he can start planning. We’ve got the World Cup, it’s a massive thing and Australia is a prestigious team to play for,” Grant said.

“Let’s put some things in place now, let some people plan, and have a fair chunk of time to make it the best possible World Cup that we can. The way Kev brought us together quickly and really coached to bring our strengths to the table I really enjoyed.”

Walters confirmed on Friday he was yet to launch extension talks with Australian Rugby League Commission chair Peter V’landys and NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo, but would expect to have those discussions in the new year.

“Obviously, I want to continue on coaching Australia, it’s been a great initiation into the international arena, and next year with the World Cup here in Australia in makes a lot of sense. But we’ll get through Christmas, enjoy that, and look forward to an even better 2026,” Walters said.

“I feel the most important thing is getting a really good relationship with players, and letting them be the people they want to be, and let them express themselves in a way they want to play. That’s my big asset as a coach, my connection with the players and allowing them the free space to play their style of football.

“Am I a better coach right now than 12 months ago? Yes certainly, but we’re always improving all the time. Santa brings lots of joys, he’s delivering lots of presents, so hopefully there’ll be a little gift for Kevvie Walters.”