The NRL can ill-afford off-field attention but it has once again, with Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona caught throwing punches in a viral video.
The video has been seen by hundreds and thousands across Australia, as the Storm confirmed the incident involving their hulking prop.
Outside the popular Seminyak area, numerous outlets such as The Herald Sun are reporting that the man called NAS, was retaliating to a king-hit suffered by teammate Suliasi Vunivalu.
The matter has since been referred to the NRL Integrity Unit as they now investigate the matter and the sequence of events.
Can’t escape the off season even if you go to Bali….. pic.twitter.com/jnToGE8F9F
— The Roast (@thenrlroast) October 13, 2019
The Storm issued a brief statement on the matter, although did not name Asofa-Solomona in it. They are treating it seriously.
“Melbourne Storm has reported an incident involving a member of our NRL squad currently on holidays in Bali to the NRL’s Integrity Unit.
Storm has launched a full investigation into what has occurred.
Storm takes these type of incidents very seriously and will not be making any further public comment at this time.”
Arriving home from Melbourne this morning, Asofa-Solomona spoke briefly to a reporter without stopping and said his side of the story would soon be told.
“My side of the story will be told soon”
Melbourne @Storm player Nelson Asofa-Solomona has returned to Melbourne after being involved in a Bali street fight pic.twitter.com/F53Ze2ZGzm
— Sunrise (@sunriseon7) October 13, 2019
A nightclub owner has this morning come out defending Asofa-Solomona, pointing out that what the video shows does not portray the full story.
“It’s so bad because they don’t see the reality (of) what happened before,” Assiego told 9 News.
“His reaction was aggressive for sure but … I feel sorry for him.”