Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona is standing firm on his anti-COVID-19 vaccination stance as the deadline looms for his return to NRL training.

The 25-year-old is the only member of the Storm’s grand final side yet to be vaccinated and if that doesn’t change he won’t be able to return to training on December 7.

Under Victorian government health orders athletes are included among authorised workers who must be double vaccinated to attend their workplace, meaning players can’t train or play at AAMI Park unless double jabbed.

Storm boss Justin Rodski was “hopeful” the Kiwi giant would change his mind and avoid becoming the first NRL player stood down for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccination.

But Asofa-Solomona used social media on Thursday to question the mandated vaccination.

The video contained a South Australian healthcare worker speaking out at a protest.

“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,” he posted on his Instagram story. 

Given that the health advice is to wait three weeks between vaccinations, Asofa-Solomona needs to have his first jab by the end of next week.

The Storm desperately want to keep Asofa-Solomona at the club but face standing him down, docking his pay or even sacking him given he will be unable to fulfill his contract.

They are currently exploring their legal options.

They are also concerned it could drag on into the new year with the forward unable to complete a proper pre-season.

With no competition-wide mandate, like the AFL, Asofa-Solomona could be picked up by another NRL club who aren’t under the same strict health orders.

The NRL says the current vaccination rate for players is between 90-95 per cent and it is hopeful it will be 100 per cent by round one.

AAP

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