The Mole: 'Tragic' Eliesa Katoa incident re-ignites scrutiny of Tonga's treatment of injured stars

The tragic Eliesa Katoa saga isn't the first time Tonga's treatment of injured players has been brought under scrutiny.

The NRL has recently conducted a full inquiry into Katoa's head knocks which resulted in him being rushed to hospital and undergoing brain surgery.

Melbourne aren't happy that their star forward's career may now be in doubt - and only 12 months ago the Tongans were under the microscope again.

READ MORE: 'Go at him': English great backs audacious Boland plan

READ MORE: Biggest dominoes still to fall as NRL silly season heats up

READ MORE: 'Crazy' or worth a shot? Hayden's selection tirade broken down

Back then it was against Australia in the Pacific Championships final, with revelations after the loss that Jason Taumalolo possibly took a broken foot into the match.

Tonga's staff cleared the big middle forward to play and he further damaged the injury, which then required surgery.

Taumalolo missed the first two rounds of this season as a result, and took several more weeks to regain form and match fitness.

His club side the Cowboys were fuming at the time, with coach Todd Payten declaring: "I don't know if his injury was handled well at all. It was only diagnosed after the Championships, and once he had been in Townsville for over a week – to only find out then was really disappointing."

Meanwhile, the NRL has completed its inquiry into the Katoa incident, in which he was knocked out in the warm up but cleared to play, only to suffer two further head knocks.

The league is expected to release findings soon.

ROOSTERS FANS NOT THRILLED BY DCE MOVE

Daly Cherry-Evans' signing with the Sydney Roosters hasn't been well received by all of the club's fans.

One such supporter, who has been a Roosters man for over 50 years, has even gone to the extent of quitting as a member and getting a refund on his membership for 2026.

"I don't agree with DCE coming to the club - as a result of his signing we will potentially lose Hugo Savala and have already lost Sandon Smith - both good young players," Gavin Brodie told Wide World of Sports.

"DCE is running on old legs, has lost a lot of his prowess and I don't want to see my hard-earned money contribute to his wage at the long-term detriment to the club I've supported for 53 seasons."

CIRALDO SHAKES UP COACHING STAFF

There's more movement at Belmore, with Jason Taylor shifting from Cameron Ciraldo's assistant to coach of the Bulldogs' NSW Cup side.

With Adam O'Brien joining the club after his departure from the Knights, the change was necessary but it could well suit Taylor.

The former goalkicking halfback is an experienced head coach, having been at the helm at the Eels, Rabbitohs and Tigers.

And don't forget - before that he played over 150 games for the North Sydney Bears and Northern Eagles, many as captain.

Word from the west is that the new Perth franchise is looking at Taylor in a coaching/management role, with his Bears links and many years of experience making him a valuable man to have on board.

CULT HERO'S NEPHEW LANDS AT PENRITH

The nephew of former Eels cult hero Fuifui Moimoi has become the fourth member of the Warriors squad to make the move to Penrith.

Patrick Moimoi joins Kalani Going, Toby Crosby and Tom Ale from the all-conquering Warriors NSW Cup team to join the Panthers.

A 21-year-old centre with plenty of size and pace, Moimoi started the season in the Jersey Flegg Cup but worked his way into the NSW Cup team and looked right at home.

If he runs the ball half as hard as his famous uncle, it won't be long before Moimoi wins over the fans at Penrith.