Storm CEO ‘confident’ anti-vax star Nelson Asofa-Solomona will change his mind

With a deadline of the end of this week to get his first jab, the Storm’s CEO is confident anti-vax star Nelson Asofa-Solomona will do what’s needed to play.

Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been outspoken on his beliefs regarding the Covid-19 vaccine. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

Despite outspoken anti-vax Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona still needing to get his first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine to return to pre-season training on time, Storm CEO Justin Rodski is “really confident” the Kiwi prop will be donning the purple jersey next year.

The 25-year-old took to social media last week to double-down on his original sentiment towards Covid vaccines, commenting on South Australian healthcare workers protesting SA Health’s call to make unvaccinated health workers take leave.

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“Front line nurses speaking out. Ask the question, why are they willing to lose their job to not get the juice? What are they seeing that we don’t see,” Asofa-Solomona posted on his Instagram story.

The Victorian government implemented a policy in October that requires all essential workers, including professional athletes, to be fully vaccinated by November 26 in order to continue working in the state, meaning Asofa-Solomona will find it very difficult to participate in the Storm’s pre-season preparations.

However, Rodski believed the New Zealander would be training with his teammates in time for the coming season.

“I’m really confident that Nelson will be playing with us next year,” Rodski said. “I’m really keen for him to play with us next year.

Melbourne Storm star Nelson Asofa-Solomona has been outspoken on the matter of Covid-19 vaccinations. Picture: Bradley Kanaris / Getty Images

“He’s still got a little bit of time to make his decision on whether or not he wants to be vaccinated.

“We’re really hopeful he does and that he’s able to return to pre-season training on December 7 and begin his preparations for a big season next year.”

Despite Rodski’s confidence on Asofa-Solomona running out for the club in their first game, the forward must receive his first dose of a vaccine by the end of this week, due to the required three-week delay between vaccines.

“We’ve been having a lot of ongoing dialogue with Nelson; those discussions are continuing,” Rodski said.

“He has this week to make that decision and then it starts to impact his pre-season and his training.

“In saying that, if he doesn’t make the decision this week, there are still avenues and pathways for him to return to training and playing next year and we’re working through what that framework looks like at the moment, what the contractual considerations are with that.

“It’s obviously a really complicated issue and something that’s important we get right.

“(It’s) Something that we work with the RLPA and the NRL on to ensure that the club’s protected, as well as making sure we’re supporting Nelson.”