Melbourne have turned to a man called Lazarus to resurrect their premiership hopes following the suspension of star prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona for the NRL grand final.
Tui Kamikamica has taken Asofa-Solomona’s place in their NRL grand final starting side, while rookie Lazarus Vaalepu comes on to the bench to face Penrith at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
Making his debut in round 20, Vaalepu has only played 127 minutes in six matches to take over South Sydney’s Blake Taaffe (seven games) as the least experienced player to line up for an NRL decider.
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Asofa-Solomona failed in his bid to play against Penrith, unable to get a careless high tackle charge downgraded at the judiciary on Monday night.
While Fijian-born Kamikamica was an obvious choice, Vaalepu has come out from the clouds to snatch a bench role.
The 25-year-old, who grew up in Penrith, played for the Storm’s feeder club, the Sunshine Coast Falcons, in the Queensland Cup this season before being called into Melbourne’s side.
His one and only start came against North Queensland in Round 26, when he scored a try.
Melbourne have had grand final success with a man called Lazarus before – with their inaugural captain Glenn Lazarus steering the team to their first premiership in 1999.
Veteran Christian Welch, who will again play off the bench, rated Vaalepu, who weighs in at 119kg.
“He hasn’t had a lot of game time, but the times he has been out there, he’s been really good for our footy side,” Welch said.
“He’s such a powerful guy and a big body, but his efforts off the ball and in his defensive areas have been really pleasing.”
Kamikamica is following in the footsteps of Fijian greats to have played in a Storm grand final.
Sisa Waqa held the trophy aloft in 2012 while fellow winger Suliasi Vunivalu enjoyed two titles, in 2017 and 2020.
Marika Koroibete played in their losing 2016 grand final before switching to rugby union.
Kamikamica said he wasn’t planning to change his approach despite being a starter.
“I will just see what the coach wants from me but I’m just going to focus on my role as a forward, it’s a simple game plan, effort areas and stuff like that, especially in these big games,” the 30-year-old said.
“If you take care of the little things, big things will take care of themselves.
“I’m excited, this is what you dream of, and we get the chance on Sunday.
“It’s a chance to make my family proud back in the islands.”
Asofa-Solomona was banned for five games for his tackle on Lindsay Collins in the opening minute of the preliminary final at AAMI Park which ended the Sydney Roosters prop’s game.
Meanwhile, self-proclaimed toiler Matt Eisenhuth insists he’s happy to forego a maiden grand final appearance if it means carpool buddy and Penrith teammate Scott Sorensen takes his place.
Absent from the Panthers’ finals campaign with a hamstring injury, Sorensen has been out of action for the last month.
Eisenhuth has filled in for Sorensen in the time the New Zealand international has been sidelined.
Eisenhuth was named in Ivan Cleary’s 17 as part of an unchanged side to take on Melbourne, with Sorensen in the extended squad in jersey No.19.
Sorensen is confident of overcoming an injury-plagued season to force his way into the Panthers’ starting side.
But that could spell disaster for valued clubman Eisenhuth, who has had to watch Penrith’s last three premiership victories as part of the Panthers’ reserve-grade side.
“I’ve been here for three of them and just been on the sideline or been 18th or 19th man,” Eisenhuth told AAP.
“I know if I get the chance to run on the field, it’ll be the best (feeling) ever.
“We’re all competitive beasts, you are always striving to be in that 17 and sometimes it’s not to be and that sucks sometimes.
“It can frustrate you but you can’t kick stones.
“It’s part of footy, every team has its superstars but every team’s got the toilers that are in and out and that’s me and I’m happy with that.”