Switching codes from rugby union in 2020, Katoa has started in all five of the Warriors matches this year.

But Brown felt the 21-year-old Tongan could benefit from a stint in reserve grade, and he will instead run out for the Redcliffe Dolphins in the Queensland Cup.

Katoa looked out of sorts in their 13-12 loss to Manly last round, with his runs and run-metres way down on his debut season.

Jack Murchie and Josh Curran will start in the second row at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium on Sunday.

"Eli has only played about 20 rugby league games in his whole life and to come from rugby union and do what he did last year was very rare," Brown said on Wednesday.

"It's more about his development and allowing him to play a game at a lower speed, so he can work hard on some of the small parts of his game.

"He's a wonderful talent and we don't expect him to be back there for long - we know he's going to have a great future at the club."

Meanwhile, Brown said there was still no firm timeline for the return of representative prop Addin Fonua-Blake, who suffered a knee injury 10 days ago.

"Addin (Fonua-Blake) is still a bit of a wait-and-see," Brown said of the Sea Eagles recruit.

"He went to see the specialist again yesterday and he has to wait another week before he sees him again.

"We're not going to see him anytime soon, that's for sure."

Australian Associated Press