Suli Vunivalu in doubt for World Cup 9s as Josh Addo-Carr defends Storm teammate Asofa-Solomona
In what may be a big blow for Fiji and fans of fleet-footed footy, Melbourne Storm star Suli Vunivalu - who was king-hit in Bali - is a doubt for this weekend’s World Cup 9s tournament.
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Injury has put Suli Vunivalu in doubt for this weekend’s World Cup Nines while Melbourne Storm teammate Josh Addo-Carr has called on the game’s governing body not to suspend Nelson Asofa-Solomona for his part in the Bali brawl.
Vunivalu and Addo-Carr were in Bali along with Asofa-Solomona and a host of Storm teammates when their end of season trip was soured after Vunivalu was attacked.
But it is a hamstring injury, not the gash he sustained under the eye after being coward punched, which has put his put Vunivalu’s Nines tournament in doubt. It the same injury which kept Vunivalu from playing in Melbourne’s preliminary finals loss to the Roosters but he is still expected to join his Fijian teammates in Parramatta this week.
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Addo-Carr said he was at his Bali villa when the drama unfolded. Asofa-Solomona jumped to the defence of Vunivalu after claims the Storm winger was set upon by Australian revellers inside and then outside a Balinese nightclub.
Regardless of what unfolded Addo-Carr wants the towering Storm prop cleared to play for New Zealand despite a ban hanging over his head.
“I wasn’t there, thank God,” Addo-Carr said. “Not much I can say. I wasn’t there. He was a bit rattled at first. I’m sure he is doing sweet now. His family and the teammates will be around him.
“You are not going to let anyone get hit. It was unfortunate for Nelson. We have to move on now.
“100 per cent (he should be cleared to play). I hope he does. I don’t reckon (he should be banned). I hope he gets to represent his country and culture.
“I was at home in my villa and the boys started rushing it. They told me what happened. I wasn’t there. (Vunivalu) is doing really well, it’s disappointing for him. It’s just life.”
Despite the fallout Addo-Carr described the holiday as the “best trip ever”.
“I loved it,” Addo-Carr said. “I can’t comment on it too much. We all had a good time
“We respected everyone the way we should’ve. Everyone we were with had a good time. We are human. Everyone wants to have a good time. We all had a good time.”
Despite being one of the fastest players in the competition, Addo-Carr played down his potential impact in the nine a side tournament. The tournament will be his first in Australian colours having also been named to make his Test debut in the Kangaroos two end of season matches.
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“I’m not the fittest bloke,” Addo-Carr said. “I’m pretty good for one effort. (There is) a lot of space. You have to work harder.
“The coaches were talking about how high intensity it’s going to be. It’s going to be exciting for the fans. You’re going to see the best talent in the world perform on the weekend. It’ll be good.”
Originally published as Suli Vunivalu in doubt for World Cup 9s as Josh Addo-Carr defends Storm teammate Asofa-Solomona