A dog bite on New Year’s Eve is the cause of the latest big name withdrawal from the NRL All Stars clash as clubs question the timing of this year’s match.
Melbourne’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona, former Kiwi captain Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (hamstring) and Warriors teammate Dylan Walker (hip) on Sunday headlined the latest round of players pulling out of Saturday’s All Stars clash in Rotorua.
Eels half Daejarn Asi and Tigers flyer Starford Toa were also confirmed as Maori withdrawals on Sunday morning, following the lead of Joey Manu (facial fracture) and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (lower back and hamstring) less than 24 hours earlier.
The squad changes were announced shortly before news of Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton’s arrest outside a Canberra nightspot, casting doubt over their places in the Indigenous side.
In Asofa-Solomona’s case, the Herald can reveal that a dog bite suffered by the marquee front-rower played a significant role in sidelining him from his first Maori All Stars appearance.
The Kiwi Test star required surgery and stitches after being bitten on a hand on New Year’s Eve. The wound delayed Asofa-Solomona’s return to full pre-season training because he was not allowed to get water or sweat on the area to avoid infection.
The Maori All-Stars have lost Jared Waerea-Hargreaves (right) and Nelson Asofa-Solomona in the space of 24 hours.Credit:Getty
The big Storm forward owns four dogs — a Siberian husky, a Staffordshire bull terrier and two dachshunds — but it is not known which pooch delivered the bite.
A condensed pre-season due to the Rugby League World Cup has seen some big name players, including Josh Addo-Carr, prioritise NRL preparations out of fear of being underdone for the All Stars game.
“It was an honour to again be selected to wear the Maori jersey but unfortunately I’m not physically in the position to be able to play in such an intensive match so soon in my pre-season preparations,” Asofa-Solomona said in a Storm statement on Sunday.
An unheralded sextet of Tukimihia Simpkins (Tigers) and Austin Dias (Manly), Leo Thompson (Knights), Paul Turner (Titans), Creedence Toia (Burleigh) and Sheldon Pitama (Dolphins) were announced on Sunday as additions to the Maori squad.
Canterbury boss Phil Gould flagged the All Stars scheduling issue on Saturday when he told the Herald that Addo-Carr’s omission was because he had only returned to training three weeks ago.
“It was always going to be an issue with the World Cup ending late last year, and then trying to fit in an All Stars game early in February,” Gould said.
Other NRL clubs pointed to the postponing of the All Stars game after the 2017 World Cup and asked why the marquee fixture wasn’t shifted to later in the season now that mid-season Tests do not feature in the 2023 calendar.
The Dolphins’ introduction to the NRL now sees three byes scheduled for each team this season.
Cody Walker will be a playing/assistant coach for the Indigenous All Stars this year.Credit:NRL Photos
Indigenous All Stars captain Cody Walker said he was also “sceptical as to how many withdrawals we’d have” given the World Cup’s impact, but believes the pre-season slot remains the best option for All Stars week.
“People look at the game itself, but the most important part of the week is the work we do throughout it with our cultures,” he said.
“This was always going to be a hard one with the World Cup but in the future we’re not going to have that.
“I can understand players pulling out because of the turnaround time, this was always going to be the tough year and there’s an opportunity for those lesser known guys in our team.
“You never know, we’ve seen this game kickstart people’s careers before with Shaq Mitchell and Josh Kerr, this is just another chance for that.
“It’s such a special week to be involved in; you know anyone who can be here, will be here.”
