Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona makes stunning vaccination u-turn

Melbourne Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona has issued a stunning vaccination u-turn.

The Grand Final winner and Melbourne Storm star had been linked with a move to join the Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japanese League One competition ahead of the 2023 season, Fox Sports had previously revealed, with his vaccination stance causing a number of problems in the NRL.

Asofa-Solomona has long been against the COVID-19 vaccination program and remains one of a tiny handful of those who have not yet received one jab.

He cut off contact with the Storm players in December after his refusal to take part in the vaccination mandate.

“I’m very hopeful ‘NAS’ will come back,” Storm captain Jesse Bromwich said before Christmas.

“He’s a powerful man and a big part of our team.

“A lot of us boys care deeply for him and I’ve tried to reach out to him, but I didn’t get anything back.

“I know he’s got his beliefs around vaccination and it’s up to him, but we really want him to come back, so hopefully the matter resolves itself soon.”

But, Asofa-Solomona has now returned to the Storm, fit and healthy and ready to get vaccinated.

“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.”