Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona has a simple gameplan to take into Melbourne’s NRL preliminary final blockbuster against the Panthers: “Cause chaos”.
The Storm suffered a “terrible” 26-0 loss to the Broncos in week one of the finals, however they responded with a hard-fought 18-13 semi-final win over the Roosters to set up a huge clash against Penrith, with a spot in the grand final on the line.
The Storm enforcer is the leader of the Melbourne pack and is embracing the challenge of taking on the Panthers’ premiership-winning big men Spencer Leniu and James Fisher-Harris.
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Together, Leniu and Asofa-Solomona are two of the best impact bench forwards in the NRL, with the way they keep the momentum of their teams rolling crucial for both the Panthers and Storm.
“Just trying to cause chaos,” Asofa-Solomona explained about his role against the Panthers.
“When you look at successful teams, obviously they (Penrith) have a system and you have to stick to that system.
“You’ve got to trust the game plan. And that’s why Penrith has done so well all year and that’s why they’re so successful is because they complete well, they kick into corners and then they just suffocate you.
“That’s what we try to do also. But you know, there’s times when we take charge in the middle and we take over, trying to get quick play the balls, trying to create chaos around the ruck.
“That’s when we can pull the trigger. Getting down, getting up playing the ball as fast as you can and then you know whether the hookers get out or whether the boys are flooding that ruck area, getting over the advantage line and just taking metres, that’s how you win games.”
Throughout the season, the 27-year-old has been used as both a starting player and an impact forward off the bench, with Asofa-Solomona happy to play whatever role is required for the team.
“My philosophy is quantity over quantity,” he said.
“So I’m not trying to not trying to cut corners, I’m not trying to find ways to play longer. I just go as hard as I can.
“And I guess when it’s time to get someone else on, then he (Storm coach Craig Bellamy) does that. So it’s not about trying to stay out there as long as I can. It’s about trying to have quality when I’m out there.”
‘Really big scary guy’
Leniu has been studying for his preliminary-final battle with Asofa-Solomona since high school.
Watching highlights of the man he still describes as Melbourne’s “really big scary guy”, making mince meat of fellow teenagers in schoolboy rugby in New Zealand.
“I used to watch Nelson’s high school highlights when he was in rugby union back when I was in high school,” Leniu explained to AAP.
Back then, Leniu was an aspiring Panthers junior at Patrician Brothers, Blacktown.
Asofa-Solomona was four years his senior, already a grand final winner at Melbourne and New Zealand Test representative in rugby league.
“I was just like this guy was just obviously a big guy and he moves pretty good for a big guy,” Leniu recalled.
“Just bumping everyone off, offloading and all that kind of stuff.
“It was funny, because then the first time I got to go to play him, I was like s***, this guy’s way bigger in person than I thought.”
Leniu will give away 17cm and 5kg to Asofa-Solomona on Friday when the pair go to battle in the middle of the field at Accor Stadium.
But the nuggety Penrith prop easily makes up for any difference with his power and ferocity.
Remembered for seeing red in last year’s preliminary final and being left seething when hit high by South Sydney’s Taane Milne, Leniu is the fieriest character in the Panthers pack.
He made headlines again earlier this year for a midfield stoush with future Sydney Roosters teammate Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, after a water bottle was thrown in his direction.
His battle with Asofa-Solomona this week will take on extra importance if they both come off the bench, after Melbourne opted to start the 27-year-old last week.
Leniu has vowed not to take a backward step against Asofa-Solomona, even after spending his teenage years looking up to the Melbourne giant.
“Obviously Nelson’s a really big scary scary guy,” Leniu said.
“If he comes off the bench, I’ll be ready for war.
“Because if I don’t bring my best, and he brings out more impact than I do, then it can change a lot of things and a lot of momentum for their team in their favour.
“He’s going to try to bring as much impact as he can if he does come off the bench. That’s what I’ll be doing.
“I think it’ll be a good spectacle for everyone to watch, us two going head to head. I’ll be looking forward to the challenge for a good and nice little war.”
– With AAP
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