UPDATED: Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has returned to regular NRL duties after he was spotted at the club’s facilities today.
Asofa-Solomona’s future in the NRL had looked clouded in recent months after it was revealed he was initially refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski confirmed Asofa-Solomona had provided the necessary information to comply with state government protocols.
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“It is great to have Nelson back at the club and back with his teammates,” Rodski said.
“It has been a slightly interrupted build up for Nelson but importantly he has been completing his own individual training program over the last few months away from the club”
“He has returned to training in good shape, and we are confident he will be ready for selection ahead of Round 1 of the season.”
While the NRL has not mandated vaccines for players or staff, the Victorian government is strict on professional athletes getting jabbed before they’re allowed to participate in competition or team activities.
And while there were reports the 130kg prop was looking elsewhere, including Japanese rugby, he appears set to stay.
Teammate Brandon Smith shared an Instagram story of the 25-year-old Asofa-Solomona making his way into the Storm’s facilities earlier today.
The Instagram post was accompanied by the Eminem song ‘Without Me’.
That song is famous for its lyrics “guess who’s back”, which was heard during Smith’s Instagram story.
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