Fifita backs Asofa-Solomona: ‘I would never leave my mate alone’
As Storm giant Nelson Asofa-Solomona was grilled by NRL integrity officials over the Bali brawl incident, a rival player backed the Melbourne prop’s actions on the party island.
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Melbourne Storm is hopeful of a possible outcome on Wednesday in the Nelson Asofa-Solomona saga.
Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy will front the media after the NRL Integrity Unit ends its own investigation into Asofa-Solomona’s role in an alleged street fight in Bali last Sunday.
Asofa-Solomona was grilled in Melbourne on Tuesday by NRL integrity officials.
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The powerhouse prop, who was captured on video throwing a series of alleged punches at a man outside a Seminyak nightclub, has maintained throughout both club and league probes he was retaliating to teammate Suliasi Vunivalu being allegedly “king hit” prior to the incident.
A photo of Vunivalu published by News Corp showed the deep cuts to the winger’s face.
NRL star Andrew Fifita leapt to Asofa-Solomona’s defence.
“I’ve been in those situations too. But for me, loyalty is a big thing. And I would never leave my mate alone,” Fifita said.
“If it was my brother getting king-hit, or threatened to get glassed, mate I’m not going to stand there and just look at him. Come on, it’s common sense.
“If it was one of my Sharks teammates … and one of them got king hit, what am I meant to do? Stand there and go, ‘No stop it. Please, stop it’, while he’s going to get bashed on the ground?”
In any event, Asofa-Solomona is likely to be suspended for the upcoming Kiwis Test matches against Australia and Great Britain Lions.
Originally published as Fifita backs Asofa-Solomona: ‘I would never leave my mate alone’