Name Nelson Asofa-Solomona Role Rugby Player | Height 2 m Weight 115 kg | |
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Similar People Young Tonumaipea, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, Tim Glasby, Hymel Hunt | ||
Melbourne Storm - Nelson Asofa Solomona - Big Hit Up
Nelson Asofa-Solomona (born 29 February 1996) is a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League. He plays at second-row and prop. His size and style of play has seen him being compared to Sonny Bill Williams.
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Early years
Born in Wellington, New Zealand, Asofa-Solomona grew up playing rugby union for Upper Hutt Rugby Football Club before playing rugby league. He played his junior rugby league for the Upper Hutt Tigers and Wellington Orcas junior representative team whilst playing rugby union at Wellington College. He was then signed by the Melbourne Storm at 15-years of age.
2014
In 2014, Asofa-Solomona played for the Melbourne Storm's NYC team. On 2 September, he was named at second-row in the 2014 NYC Team of the Year. On 18 October, he played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos at second-row in the Kiwis' 15-14 win at Mount Smart Stadium.
2015
In 2015, Asofa-Solomona graduated to the Storm's Queensland Cup team, Sunshine Coast Falcons. In Round 8 of the 2015 NRL season, he made his NRL debut for the Melbourne Storm against the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles, playing off the interchange bench in the Storms' 12-10 loss at AAMI Park. On 2 May, he again played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos, playing at prop in the Kiwis' 22-20 loss at Cbus Super Stadium. In Round 20 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, he scored his first NRL career try in the Storm's 22-4 win at McLean Park. He finished off his debut year in the NRL having played in 12 matches and scoring 1 try.
2016
On 1 February, Asofa-Solomona was named in the Storm's 2016 NRL Auckland Nines squad.
2017
Asofa-Solomona was named in the Storm squad for the 2017 NRL Auckland Nines.
In April, Nelson was called into the New Zealand Kiwis squad with a view to making his international debut against the Kangaroos but had to withdraw due to a hand injury.