Explosive forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona has declared his “love” of the Melbourne Storm as the key factor why he has shunned a move to rugby union to re-sign with the NRL club for a further four years.
Asofa-Solomona had the blessing of his late Dad and his Mum to make the transition to rugby and potentially play for the Wallabies, but he opted to stay in Melbourne, where he feels most comfortable.
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“I’m grateful that rugby looked at me,” he said after the Storm’s 30-22 win over New Zealand Warriors in an Anzac Day classic at AAMI Park.
“I was seriously having a look at rugby, I felt like I’ve given a lot to rugby league,, I thought I was a good chance to go to rugby, [but]I love the Storm too much – this is my home.
“At the end of the day, I just want to make my mum happy, my dad happy as well.”
Asofa-Solomona had a major impact on the Storm’s comeback win over the Warriors that saw them improve to 5-3.
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The big man stamped his authority on the game, accumulating 168 run metres, including 72 post contact metres, in just 59 minutes.
With an exodus of forwards in the off-season, Asofa-Solomona’s signature was a priority for the Storm.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy was thrilled when he heard the news in the rooms post-game.
“It’s massive for the club to be quite honest,” Bellamy said.
“He’s quite unique in what he can do on the footy field.
“All the guys really respect him with what he brings to the team off the field as well.
“It’s a great thing for the club. Our chairman ][Matt Tripp] just announced it – I didn’t even know myself today.”
Bellamy described the negotiations between the club and Asofa-Solomona’s management as a “rollercoaster”.
Storm Press Conference | 09:06
“We’re all happy he’s come to the decision that he has and like I say he’ll be a great asset to the club,” he said.
“I spoke to the chairman Matt Tripp a couple of times and it was a bit like a rollercoaster, he’s just about ready to sign and 24 hours later it looks like he might be going [to rugby].
“The last four or five days it’s been up and down.”
Asofa-Solomona thanked Wallabies coach Eddie Jones and Rugby Australia director Hamish McLennan for the chance to discuss a move to rugby.
Despite being “a proud Kiwi”, Asofa-Solomona was close to linking up with Super Rugby and putting his case forward for a Wallabies jersey, despite “the backlash” he might have received from some people.
“Before my dad passed away, he said I just want you to be happy, I don’t mind if you play for the Wallabies,” Asofa-Solomona said.
“That’s the only blessing I need – I know it’s going to come with a lot of backlash but I was happy to wear that.
“At the end of the day, I love the Storm way too much.
“I’m very grateful for them even just looking at me – I’m very thankful to Eddie [Jones] and Hamish [McLennan].”
From the depth of injury, Asofa-Solomona revealed that something in the last two weeks has “changed my life forever” for the better, and it’s not the Storm contract extension, but he would not reveal what it was.
“I’m very happy and blessed,” he said.
“It’s very personal, very personal.”
