In a massive win for the NRL over rugby, Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona has inked a new four-year deal with Melbourne.
Sydney Morning Herald reporter Michael Chammas revealed in the first week of April that Asofa-Solomona had met with Wallabies coach Eddie Jones about a potential switch to the 15-man game.
But after the Storm’s 30-22 win over the Warriors on Anzac Day, Melbourne announced the 27-year-old had signed a new four-year contract to tie himself to the club until the end of 2027.
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The announcement followed two major movements amid the battle between the two codes: Roosters whiz-kid Joseph Suaalii signing with the Wallabies and Waratahs, and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck agreeing to a return to the Warriors after his defection to the All Blacks and Blues.
Asofa-Solomona has become even more important to Melbourne since the departures of Felise Kaufusi and the Bromwich brothers, Jesse and Kenneath, who left big holes in the Storm forward pack when they joined the Dolphins.
He was a member of the Storm’s 2017 and 2020 NRL grand final triumphs over the Cowboys and Panthers respectively, and has become one of the most fearsome front-rowers in the competition.
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He showed that when he was propelled off the bench in the Anzac Day clash with the Warriors.
In 59 destructive minutes, Asofa-Solomona churned out 168 run metres and made a linebreak, playing a crucial role as the Storm beat an injury-ravaged Warriors outfit.
“Nelson already has a tremendous record of achievement here at Storm and we’re sure he will continue to build on that over the coming years,” said Storm chairman Matt Tripp.
“He’s in the prime of his career and is embracing his new role as one of the leaders of our forward pack.
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“We hope Nelson will be a one-club player with Storm. This new contract will go a long way to helping to achieve that aim as he progresses towards and beyond the 200-game milestone.
“I’m sure our members and fans will be delighted to know they will be cheering on big NAS for many more years to come.”
Asofa-Solomona has played 168 NRL games and 12 Tests for New Zealand.
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