Melbourne Storm rugby league star Nelson Asofa-Solomona, a Kiwi, says he is waiting to hear from the Wallabies and would consider a code switch.
Asofa-Solomona is out of contract at the end of the NRL season and reportedly held talks with former coach Dave Rennie in 2021.
Asofa-Solomona, who represented New Zealand in the recent Rugby League World Cup, told the Sydney Morning Herald that a code switch was a genuine option.
“Coming from a rugby union background, I’ve always been enticed to go back to rugby at some stage,” he said.
“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.”
Nelson Asofa-Solomona of the Storm (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The 26-year-old prop was asked if Wallabies coach Eddie Jones had contacted him since his appointment.
“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,” said Asofa-Solomona. “I’m still waiting for a phone call.”
He admitted that playing for the Wallabies might be challenging as a Kiwi.
“You can’t rule anything out,” he said. “Stuff crosses your mind, but it would be tough being a New Zealander. But I’ve spent a lot of time in Australia, Australia has done a lot for my family. It’s a tough question to answer.”
Asofa-Solomona is close friends with former teammate Suliasi Vunivalu, who’s switch to the Queensland Reds and the Wallabies hasn’t exactly gone down a storm.
“Obviously we’re close mates, but at the end of the day it’s up to me what I want to do with my career,” he said.
“Nothing like that will really entice me to go just to go to a club, I have to consider a lot of things. I need to consider my family first and foremost.
“I miss Suli dearly and the Storm miss him as well. We love Suli. [Playing together] would be nice.”
Razor ready for big reveal
Scott Robertson has revealed the All Blacks’ post-World Cup coach could be decided in the “next few days” – only for4 New Zealand Rugby to deny that’s true.
Multiple New Zealand reports on Wednesday said Robertson told media that he had been advised what New Zealand Rugby’s (NZR) appointment process for the next All Blacks coach looks like.
He said he was waiting for the governing body to make an announcement, which Robertson told media in Christchurch could be “in the next few days”.
“I’ve been really patient. I think where we are now, that’s what we’re going to deal with, not what’s happened….the next two big weeks are big,” Robertson said.
Asked if he was pleased with the plan, Robertson laughed and added: “I haven’t signed anything yet.”
“Judging by his happy demeanour when he fronted at Rugby Park in Christchurch, it’s fair to assume NZR boss Mark Robinson has dished up some good news,” wrote stuff.co.nz on Wednesday.
The NZR board is expected to reveal a replacement for Ian Foster for after this year’s RWC with Robertson and Japan coach Jamie Joseph the two clear candidates.
As reported last week, the NZR board is to this month to decide whether to appoint the next All Blacks coach before, or after, the World Cup in France.
“Whatever their process is, they’ve just got to give me enough run in and time whenever they go. And I can do my job here at Rugby Park,” Robertson said, confirming he would coach the Crusaders in this year’s Super Rugby competition regardless of the NZR decision.
“It’s part of it, at one stage there it could have only been 10 days, and I was coaching a Test match. Whatever the lead in, whatever the time is, I’ll deal with that.”
In those comments Robertson revealed he was lined up to coach the All Blacks last year, only for Foster to survive the axe after a win over the Springboks at Ellis Park.
Robertson is contracted through 2024, but with an exit clause at the end of 2023.
But there was a swift rejection of Robertson’s claims by NZR.
“New Zealand Rugby is continuing to have internal discussions, but an announcement about the All Blacks’ head coach or process is not imminent,” the organisation said in a statement following Robertson’s press conference.
Cheika impresses Leicester
Former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is a frontrunner to take on Steve Borthwick’s old job at Lecicester Tigers.
Cheika and Vern Cotter, who has just stood down as Fiji coach, are the leading candidates, according to a report in the UK Telegraph.
The Telegraph says both “are on a narrowing shortlist with Cheika becoming a more likely proposition.
“The Premiership champions are intent on landing a significant appointment and have money to spend following the Rugby Football Union’s acquisition of their leading coaches.”
Richard Wigglesworth, the interim head coach of Leicester Tigers, and Aled Walters, their head of performance, are following Borthwick and Kevin Sinfield to England. The club announced that it was “nearing the conclusion of the interview stage”.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images for RLWC)
There are concerns over Cheika’s ability to fulfill the high pressure club role alongside preparing Argentina for the World Cup later this year, although the paper noted his juggling of Pumas duty with Lebanon in the rugby league World Cup – and said he had impressed decision makers at the Premiership champion club.
Meanwhile, Richard Cockerill will leave England’s coaching staff to join French rugby club Montpellier, a departure that ends all ties to the Eddie Jones era in charge of the national team.
Since Borthwick replaced Jones as head coach, members of the Australian’s backroom staff – Matt Proudfoot, Brett Hodgson, Martin Gleeson – have left one by one with Cockerill the last to go.
Cockerill, a former England front-row forward, was interim coach following Jones’ departure and the arrival of Borthwick.
He will continue as forwards coach throughout the Six Nations, England said on Tuesday, before joining Montpellier to take up the same role.
“Having coached and played in France previously, my family and I always had aspirations to return,” Cockerill said. “This opportunity presented itself some time ago and it was too hard to turn down personally and professionally.
“It is disappointing not to work with Steve and the wider team beyond the Six Nations. I had hoped to be able stay for the Rugby World Cup, but the timings weren’t meant to be.”
Hosea shaping up as key man
Melbourne will look to a trimmed-down Trevor Hosea to have a bigger presence as the Rebels try to get their Super Rugby Pacific season off to a flying start.
Opening 2022 with five losses, the Rebels were left chasing the pack last year and now coach Kevin Foote is determined they hit the ground running in their round-one clash with the Western Force in Perth on February 25.
They take on the Brumbies this Saturday night in Wagga Wagga in their final trial.
“Last year we didn’t start well and by the back end we were finding some momentum and I want to learn from that and start well this year,” Foote told AAP.
“We’ve still got a few injuries but we know we’re prepared.”
With Wallabies lock Matt Philip sidelined after a serious knee injury last October, Hosea is set for more game time.
Still only 23, the Melbourne-born second-rower has long been tipped for stardom and was included in the Wallabies squad in 2020.
But a foot injury stalled his progress and he missed last year’s entire 2022 Super season.
Foote believes Hosea has the size and talent to make it on the world stage, likening him to Springboks powerhouse Eben Etzebeth, says he has big expectations this year.
“I haven’t seen a physical lock like him, like Eben Etzebeth – one of those tall guys who are really well defined,” Foote told AAP.
“He’s lighter now than he was, so he’s about 119-120 kilograms so he’s fitter, and he’s much more comfortable now calling the line-out.
“With Matt (Philip) being out I’ve got a big expectation of Trev, but he’s ready for that as he’s grown and matured a lot so he will have a big part to play in our pack.”
As well as Philip, the Rebels are missing Wallabies flanker Rob Leota, who ruptured his Achilles in September while on Test duty and also key back Andrew Kellaway, who required surgery on a foot fracture.
Kellaway has started to run, with the Rebels hopeful he will be back playing before his round-six target.
They have recruited Italy winger Monty Ioane, young Kiwi flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi and English lock Tim Cardall.
Ex-Red Alex Mafi has also signed while hooker Anaru Rangi has returned along with prop Sam Talakai and halfback Ryan Louwrens.
The Rebels were kept scoreless in their opening trial against Fijian Drua last month but Foote wasn’t alarmed by the scoreline.
“We decided to leave a lot of our senior guys at home as we have a lot of travel coming up and thought it was a good opportunity for our young guys in pretty harsh conditions,” Foote said.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
can't believe NAS's only 26! where would they play him? too short for 2nd row? flankers / 8 too technical? use as a battering ram at 12? the Burgess debacle wouldn't help as to where to play a former NRL prop
Highlander
Roar Guru
Concur, It was an amazing array of plans in a short time I guess this year will be the prioritisation you refer to while keeping as many options open as possible. Starting from a better position this year than last
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Highlander I liked the variety of attack plans. Normally I'd say prioritise them into Plan A B C D etc, but it's so tough nowadays since 2019 at the top level I'd say keep 'em all and play whichever you feel like is best when you go out onto the paddock. If South Africa, France, or Ireland have to defend four possible game plans then best of luck to them. It's a new edge, opening a new front in the tactics wars.
James in NZ
Roar Rookie
He's barely coached onshore too.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Its actually how both parties agree to the exit. So yeah it is an agreed exit which both parties sign off on. I find sacking is an emotive term. He would have got paid out, not sacked with two weeks pay.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
If that’s the case then sacking, is not the issue? You can’t be tied into working if you are sacked!
Chivas
Roar Rookie
It is common practice especially with high level positions. Non compete clauses are not new. You can get whatever lawyers you want to put on it, but it is part of the payout and release. Lawyers write them up and as they have been established for quite some time, they are pretty water tight.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I 100% agree on most of what you are saying but I still feel that Razor could be a bit more respectful. Its the "deans" situation all over again and I didnt see Deans as doing anything to help himself at the time and I dont see a positive in Razor doing these silly interviews where he basically undermines the NZR with little comments. He doesnt need to do it so why is he doing it? Deans threatened to go coach Aus if he didnt get thye job and now Robertson is threatening to "Go coach Fiji". I dont see an upside to these comments. NZR needs to announce him as head coach post WC but neither party is doing the right thing.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
Clearly we have very different opinions about what constitutes a smart a$$e. A product of quite different temperaments I suspect. To cut to the chase, if NZR think they can parachute Joseph in, or worse, extend Foster, without serious repercussions, they're kidding themselves. Robertson would then be free to talk exactly about how he has been treated over the last four years. Tick, tick, boom. They would also be telling every single aspiring AB head coach that the only route to the job is offshore, or tying yourself to the existing coach. Bye Clayton McMillan. Bye Leon MacDonald. Then the rest. Good luck with keeping any head coach of any competence in NZ if they again tell Robertson that his 15 years of absolute loyalty to NZ rugby and his relentless success is worthless. But then this is NZR, so any incompetence is possible.
Charlie Turner
Guest
The purpose of the gardening leave clause is to stop a coach from using any IP against his previous team. There was dismay in England when it was discovered the RFU had neglected to include a similar clause in Eddie Jones’ contract.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Gardening leave?? So after being sacked, RA dictate as to what he can do with his life. That’s a new one on me, & I’d be looking at a job for my lawyers! Like what right do they have, after him being SACKED?
Charlie Turner
Guest
Rennie’s contract included a “gardening leave” clause which prohibits him taking a position as a coach for another employer.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yes he's on leave, with his sacking from RA, which means his contract is no longer void!! Mate have you ever worked under contract conditions?? Honestly!!!
Just call me Campo
Roar Rookie
how good is this bloke? Kiwi who hates the Wallabies, picks himself in the Wallabies and wants to play with Suli - so presumably picks that dud in the Wallabies as well. Jog on we don't want you in fact why don't you go home?
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I think he is being a smart a$$e. He didn't need to say anything at all yet he likes a stir so says stuff he just shouldn't. He needs to respect the position even if he doesn't respect those around it.
BleedRedandBlack
Roar Rookie
The expectations placed on Robertson seem endless. Despite being shafted three times by NZR everyone insists he say absolutely nothing other than banalities about the coaching job, negatively or positively. This is the closest he has come in 4 years, and even then its been grossly distorted. And now the Razorhaters are out [Paul Cully included] screaming that he shouldn't get the job because of something he never said. And as for the discussion about the assistants, well, just waiting for that issue to be used against Robertson yet again. NZR, through Henry, used Jason Ryan to keep Robertson out of the job in 2019, then used Jason Ryan to keep Foster in the job in 2022. Cant wait to see NZR use the same level of dishonesty and incompetence again in 2023. They seem more than willing to make a SR head coach job a career deadend as far as the AB's are concerned. My bet, Jason Ryan will be AB's forward coach irrespective of who is head coach 2024. That's the thing about NZR. They love Crusaders coaches as assitants, but loathe them as AB's head coach. 28 years of AB professionalism, 2 years of a Crusaders head coach. Not expecting a change.
Dionysus
Guest
I don't deny that and he is often punished for it. What I am trying to say is that he often errs simply because of a height difference rather than through malice aforethought. His shoulder height will be higher than the top of some player's heads.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
He's been put on leave officially, so the contract is still void.
Don
Roar Rookie
He does try but sometimes in the heat of the moment, he gets it wrong. That is a discipline issue. Shaun Lane, David Klemmer and Payne Haas seem to be able to not collect people high as often as NAS.
Dionysus
Guest
"hasn’t exactly gone down a storm" but the pay packet was good. Anyone who thinks this is about playing rugby is sadly mistaken. There will be a whole host of NRL players creating these headlines over the next couple of years. I don't mind anyone using Rugby as a negotiating ploy or even on the odd occasion actually making the switch. But what really worries me is the fact that these NRL players are looking to Rugby for a bigger contract. How on earth can Rugby Australia be the "big money option" when set against a well funded, salary cap increasing and expanding NRL ? Suli, a winger would have been on a maximum of about 500k yet we offer him 1.8m over 2 years. (I understand its coming out of 2 different pots but it is still Rugby dollars). No wonder we have no money to invest in the grass roots of the game.