‘I want to stay’: Nelson Asofa-Solomona pledges his future to the Storm despite rumours he could be squeezed out
Nelson Asofa-Solomona has cleared the air on his future with the Storm, with the towering prop leaning on two American stars to get himself right going into the finals.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hulking Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona has shot down speculation that he could leave the club at the end of the season, declaring “I’m just getting started” as he addressed social media posts, his health and how he’s channelled a couple of American sporting greats to get himself through the tough times.
Asofa-Solomona has been one of the most dominant forwards in the world in recent years, but persistent hamstring issues this season have slowed down the 200cm giant as speculation continues to swirl that Stefano Utoikamanu will head to Melbourne in 2025.
That could lead to the club trying to squeeze others out to ensure their salary cap is in order, but the New Zealand representative – who is contracted until 2028 – insists he isn’t going anywhere.
“I had a bit of a yarn to see where I’m at. I had a yarn with the club owner Matt Tripp and JR (Justin Rodski) our CEO, just having a yarn with where I am at generally,” he said, confirming he wants to stay.
“It was good to go for a coffee and just have a yarn and clear the air with where I am at mentally. Credit to those guys, that’s all we needed, to just go for a coffee and clear things up. I have a lot of respect for Matt Tripp and JR.
“Everything is all sweet. I just let my footy do the talking
“Yeah (they want me to stay) and I want to stay as well.
“I’m just getting started. As long as my mind is right, I want to give back to this club. It has given me so much. I need to get myself right, and that gives to the team. Just control what I can control, and that is my mentality and my body.”
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to rugby union but he denies that’ll happen next year, with the Storm enforcer revealing people misconstrued an Instagram post with several photos and the caption “all good things must come to an end, enjoy the moments while they last”.
“Yeah I was taking the media for the ride. You guys jumped at it,” he said.
“It’s just general life. You have to savour every moment. It’s nothing to do with my situation, it’s just life in general.”
Melbourne’s wrecking ball hopes his footy can do the talking as they approach the finals, with Asofa-Solomona limited to just 12 games this year due to hamstring injuries, form and general fitness concerns.
But he says he’s doing much better now and is in a good headspace after a quick trip to the Sunshine Coast earlier this month.
“It hasn’t been too frustrating, injuries are just part of the game,” he said, revealing he trains to a program created by the Storm while listening to a podcast featuring legendary Baltimore Ravens player Ray Lewis.
“The game is so fast now, you look across other teams and everyone is getting hammy injuries. It’s just part of the territory. It’s something I can’t control. I don’t get frustrated, I stay positive. That positivity will go to the injury. If I am negative about it, it’s not going to do much.
“I’m in a good headspace, and when I am in a good headspace, I play much better. When you’re in a good headspace, it translates to your body. And your body starts to feel a bit better and be a bit lighter.
“I am in a happier place mentally, it’s just got to translate onto the field.
“On my bye I went to the Sunny Coast. While a lot of the boys were just chilling out, I went up there and put a lot of work into my body and mind. I came back with a spring in my step, hopefully I can show it in the next few weeks.
“(I hadn’t done that before) but I know what works for myself now. It’s a bit like Dennis Rodman. He goes to Vegas for 48 hours, I need to go Sunny Coast for a week. Everyone is different, that’s what works for me.
“Back in 2021, I was 136kg, and my jersey was getting a little tight. A game against the Cowboys made me look in the mirror, and I actually did my hamstring back then as well. In the six or seven weeks I was out, I got down to 122kg.
“The heat and weather up there puts me in a good mood to train. It helps create the momentum for myself. Training well, eating well and the rest takes care of itself.”
Originally published as ‘I want to stay’: Nelson Asofa-Solomona pledges his future to the Storm despite rumours he could be squeezed out
NRL Rich 100: Walsh among nine snubbed Maroons stars
Reece Walsh is among a posse of Queensland Origin stars that didn’t make the 2024 Rich 100 list, in proof that big bucks doesn’t guarantee big-name performances. See the analysis of notable omissions and underperforming inclusions.
Coach unleashes blistering NRL attack
Outgoing Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has taken aim at the NRL as he launched a scathing attack on the controversial Bunker system.