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Kiwis enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona reveals verbal spray from Storm coach over vegan diet

September 25, 2018
Nelson Asofa-Solomona.
Melbourne Storm v Vodafone Warriors during the Anzac Day round 8 match in the 2018 NRL season at AAMI Park, Melbourne, Australia. 25 April 2018. © Copyright photo: www.photosport.nz

A verbal spray from Storm coach Craig Bellamy forced Kiwis enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona to change up his vegan diet after he turned up at the beginning of the 2018 pre-season overweight.

The 22-year-old is set to sign a new three-year deal with the Melbourne Storm.

He told NRL.com that he was blasted by his coach Bellamy after returning from the 2017 Rugby League World Cup heavier than his normal playing weight.

"I came back into pre-season a bit overweight after the World Cup," Asofa-Solomona told NRL.com.

"I was trying a vegan diet but I didn't do it right. I was trying all the sauces and trying to make that vegan food taste nice and I didn't realise that the sauces are the bad stuff for you.

"After that break Craig brought me into the meeting room and there was a few people in there with us and he started going off his head."

Asofa-Solomona got up to 128kg and normally plays at about 122kg.

"Now I weigh in every morning, there's a few of us that do it but I think I'm the main culprit. I sometimes get more nervous about that than games sometimes, Craig's usually watching, he's always around doing some form of fitness," he said.

"You'd be worried if he wasn't on your case, because you know where his intentions are and that he wants the best from you. It's all about how you take the criticism, I took that as a positive.”

He is set to sign with the Storm until the end of the 2022 season according to NRL.COM.

The Storm are expected to announce the re-signing of Asofa-Solomona after the NRL grand final between Melbourne and the Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The two metre tall front rower was offered a rugby union deal by the Hurricanes but opted to take up an opportunity with the Storm in 2010.

"The club has helped provide for my family and I do really just love the place here. It's a winning culture and the boys are great, I'm really enjoying life here. It's been the right decision to come here for sure and it's where I want to stay."

His family now lives with him in Melbourne.

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