Melbourne Storm’s Nelson Asofa-Solomona says he would strongly consider playing for the Wallabies if he’s offered a chance to switch codes.
With new Wallabies coach Eddie Jones declaring his intentions to poach talent from the NRL to bolster Australian rugby’s stocks, Asofa-Solomona, one of the biggest NRL names off contract at the end of this season, could be a potential target given his rugby background.
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The Melbourne prop even met with Wallabies coach Dave Rennie when issues relating to his vaccination status threatened to derail his NRL career.
“Obviously I’ve been at the Storm for such a long time,” Asofa-Solomona told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.
“Coming from a rugby union background, I’ve always been enticed to go back to rugby at some stage. Just seeing the talent we have got at the Storm and the future they have, the Storm is in good hands even if I leave.
“I’m not too sure what I want to do, I change my mind every day.
“It’s hard to say [if I would join the Wallabies]. I’d be silly not to consider all my options.”
Asked if Jones had reached out since his appointment as Wallabies coach, the 26 year old said: “Eddie hasn’t been in touch yet. Obviously I’ve seen the headlines and stuff like that, I’m getting a bit of stick around the club.
“I’m still waiting for a phone call.”
Jones has a track record of luring league players to the 15-man game, when he brought over Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers in his first stint in the job.
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One of Asofa-Solomona’s best friends is former Storm teammate Suliasi Vunivalu, who has completed his own switch to the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies.
The Storm are keen to retain Asofa-Solomona, however the man-mountain said he would consider alternatives.
“Rugby league is just getting faster and faster. They keep changing the rules,” he said. “They are sort of rubbing the big men out of the game. It is what it is, you have to adapt to those challenges. The NFL is an option. Back in the day I had an opportunity to go to the NFL.
“In saying that the NFL is such a process, it’s not just ‘go to the NFL’.”
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