That is a fundamental part of sport, especially contact sport, and of mateship. When Adam Reynolds stepped up in the dying minutes to nail what seemed to be a potential game-clinching 40/20 trailing 16-20, ANZ Stadium erupted into pandemonium. (Getty Images), Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona challenged Darcy Lussick to a fight in an Instagram post. A boxing promoter wants Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona to jump into the ring following footage of him punching others during a Bali street brawl. Melbourne NRL prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona insists he has his own story to tell of an alleged incident in Bali as he prepares to front the Storm over the drama. Melbourne have long set an NRL benchmark on and off the field. ', and yes I could. "I could have picked up Suli and got out of there but at that point in time I felt I had to defend myself and my teammates. Knowing how Asofa-Solomona was provoked, it would have been easy to watch the fight footage with a degree of righteous satisfaction, a certain glee that Vunivalu's assailants were getting what was coming to them. "When you fight a retired back … Darcy Lussick if you want a real fight, I'd happily jab your face off for easy money,” he wrote. Was $13 now $7 per week for 12 weeks* (Digital + Print). Monday, 14 October 2019 11:43AM. No charges are believed to have been laid over the incident. Perhaps even a statement from the NRL and Storm that Asofa-Solomona's actions, though shocking in their brutality, should serve as a warning to poorly-endowed 'heroes' who want to pick fights with footballers. A group of Melbourne players were on an end-of-season holiday in Bali, with Asofa-Solomona returning to Australia to answer questions from both the club and the NRL. There will be a penalty. “He’s never been in trouble for anything physical that I’m aware of. He is facing an NRL Integrity Unit investigation and will miss Test matches for New Zealand. Asofa-Solomona was part of the New Zealand national rugby league team tour of Denver, Colorado, in June 2018. Age: 24. Those were punches capable of breaking a skull; and of leaving Asofa-Solomona to the mercy of the infamous Indonesian legal system. Yet it was deeply unnerving. A huge man whose career is on course to leave a significant mark on rugby league. (Getty) Asofa-Solomona was justifiably enraged. It likely did not occur in the heat of the moment, but the stakes were potentially life and death. Asofa-Solomona returned to Australia on Monday morning before a meeting with Melbourne officials, after footage emerged of a brawl outside a Bali restaurant and bar. NRL star Nelson Asofa-Solomona in wild Bali street brawl New footage has emerged showing Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona allegedly throwing brutal punches in a Bali street fight. “My side of the story will be told soon,” Asofa-Solomona told 7NEWS at Melbourne airport. Reports suggest there is work underway to set up an event at the end of the 2020 NRL season. The NRL's decision to ban Nelson Asofa-Solomona for three Tests over his involvement in a brawl outside a club in Bali has been met with criticism by past and present players. "Obviously looking back at that now I think 'Could I have went another way about it? “It’s disappointing but as far as we know Suli (Vunivalu) copped the king hit and Nelson has reacted. Check out all the big moments from the two grand final qualifiers. Asofa-Solomona is due to play in a Test match for New Zealand against Australia on October 25, with the Kiwis already without forwards Jesse Bromwich and James Fisher-Harris to injury. Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be available to play in the opening round of the NRL next season, despite being handed a three-match suspension … But it was dumb luck that he, and his street-fighting opponents, walked away. 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Modern prospectors hit WA trail hoping to strike gold, Bring Kyle home: Gallen’s plea to the Sharks, ‘Magic was lost’: Why Kevvie finally won over the Broncos, Footy team’s bid to win title for teammates killed weeks apart, Player ratings: Storm’s surprise star performer. NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA. Asofa-Solomona was awarded 2 Dally M points for his round one appearance in the victory over the Brisbane Broncos. The incident comes after the NRL endured an off-season from hell last summer, prompting the game to introduce the no-fault stand-down policy for players charged with serious offences. The move obviously incensed Asofa-Solomona, who hit back at Lussick on Instagram. Birthplace: Wellington, NZ. ", Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona (pictured left) has challenged Darcy Lussick (pictured right) to a fight. Nelson Asofa-Solomona will front NRL officials today after arriving home from Bali. The Storm confirmed on Sunday night that a matter had been referred to the integrity unit. Asofa-Solomona was justifiably enraged. Previous Club:-Junior Club: Wellington College, Upper Hutt Tigers. It was the first time that Asofa-Solomona had played in a team with cousin, Ken Maumalo, professionally. Despite Lussick weighing up a fight with retired AFL star Hall, Asofa-Solomona’s comments may have changed his potential opponent. Asofa-Solomona is one of the NRL's most powerful and distinctive players. He was upset by his violent reaction, immediately apologetic and remorseful. Vunivalu's assailants introduced a potentially mortal threat to an already dire situation; inciting professional athletes who inflict pain for a living and taking them, in that escalated moment, beyond non-violent means. The Melbourne prop was suspended for three Tests and fined $15,000 for the incident from the NRL. © West Australian Newspapers Limited 2020. Watch the brand new comedy series Code 404 now on Stan. Nelson Asofa-Solomona. The punches were frenzied, delivered with the power of a colossal man who can move 200kg of steel in the gym. The 200cm, 115kg Melbourne Storm prop was throwing them like Mike Tyson on that Seminyak street. Your new favourite AFL footy podcast. It is to be commended and fellow NRL players have done so. Round: 8. A boxing promoter wants Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona to jump into the ring following footage of him punching others during a … Prop. Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga understands why Cameron Smith could retire, 'A kick in the guts': NRL strikes deal with NSW government to keep grand final in Sydney. "At the time, I was worried about Suli, who had earlier been coward-punched in an unprovoked attack," Asofa-Solomona said on Friday. The more accurate, in-vogue term is 'coward punched'. He was raining blows with an uncommon strength that no human being could survive unscathed, were a punch to land in the wrong spot. Asofa-Solomona said he was in shock after seeing his close friend Vunivalu attacked inside the bar and was assisting him outside when "things escalated". Nelson Asofa-Solomona and tht infamous Bali street brawl. Date of Birth: 29 February 1996. Date: 25 April 2015. Debut Club: Melbourne Storm. Relive the top five tries from the NRL Grand Final qualifiers. Of course you do. Whether or not his intentions were honourable, Asofa-Solomona and the target of his rage nearly lost it all with one punch. Asofa-Solomona left Bali without charge from the police and with the goodwill of the nightclub owner. The idea has some merit. AAP The West Australian. Asofa-Solomona stood up for his teammate. Nickname: Big Nasty. Melbourne Storm. There is little tolerance for breaches of club standards, of which this incident was certainly one. The giant prop could have ended a man's life in that savage outburst, not merely dished-out a lesson. Melbourne NRL prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona insists he has his … Enjoy unlimited access to thewest.com.au and everyday digital editions on any device. Nelson Asofa-Solomona has received support from a Bali nightclub owner as he arrives back in Australia to face an investigation by the NRL’s Integrity Unit over his alleged role in a violent street brawl. Thursday - Monday papers home delivered with all of the latest footy news! Many chances for something to go tragically awry. A great coach like Craig Bellamy knows that such an incident, though understandable in principle and out of character for his player, can't go unchecked. His NRL teammate, winger Suliasi Vunivalu, had been 'king hit' and was bleeding profusely from the face. Any suggestion otherwise is fanciful. Opposition: Manly Sea Eagles. The giant prop was allegedly filmed throwing a series of heavy punches outside the … Bar fight. Monster Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona has stepped up and challenged retired NRL forward Darcy Lussick to a fight at the end of the season. Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona faces questioning by the NRL integrity unit and his club after allegedly throwing a volley of brutal punches in a Bali street fight - but coach Craig Bellamy has vouched for his character. Video has emerged allegedly showing Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona in a street fight outside a Bali club. Hurricane style like Apollo Creed. Melbourne Storm big man Nelson Asofa-Solomona to speak over Bali street fight. Nelson Asofa-Solomona and his Bali street fight (inset). NRL brawl incident referred to integrity unit Melbourne Storm's Nelson Asofa - Solomona has flown back to Australia after becoming involved in a brawl outside a nightclub in Bali. “He’s not a guy who goes looking for trouble,” Bellamy told the Daily Telegraph. No charges are believed to have been laid over the incident. Play Video. Yet the ability to unleash such extreme force brings with it a serious level of responsibility. 'NEVER BEEN HAPPIER': Todd Greenberg's telling backhander for NRL, 'NOTHING CAME BACK': Greg Inglis reveals unthinkable snub from rival club. In the video that went viral on Sunday night, a man who resembled the hulking Kiwi prop can be seen throwing a number of punches in a fight outside a restaurant and bar that spills onto the street. There were many punches. Weight: 115 kg. Remember the big unit’s Bali bar fight last October? Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy has since claimed the club had been told winger Suliasi Vunivalu was allegedly hit in the head by an unprovoked attacker before Asofa-Solomona responded. Instagram Player Bio Height: 200 cm. Asofa-Solomona, weighing in at 115kg, recently caught the attention of the Australian public in the NRL offseason when he jumped in to defend Storm teammate Suliasi Vunivalu after he was allegedly king hit prior to the incident.