New Zealand coach Michael Maguire has refused to concede Nelson Asofa-Solomona will be rubbed out of the Kiwis’ upcoming Tests against Australia and Great Britain.
The giant Melbourne Storm prop was interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit on Monday over his role in an alleged brawl outside a Bali nightclub.
Footage of Asofa-Solomona throwing a series of wild punches went viral on Sunday night.
It has since been reported the prop, who has been named in the Kiwis’ 22-man squad for the October and November Tests, reacted after Storm team-mate Suliasi Vunivalu was allegedly king hit by a patron inside the venue.
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NRL legend Braith Anasta on Monday revealed he spent the afternoon and evening with Asofa-Solomona and several other Storm players before the alleged incident.
The Fox Sports pundit added to reports the 23-year-old was acting in self defence, alleging Vunivalu was ‘being threatened with a glass object’ when Asofa-Solomona, who was not charged by police, intervened.
It is understood eye-witnesses have corroborated reports the 115kg wrecking ball was protecting his team-mates.
“I’m not going to assume anything, I think at the end of the day you’ve got to make sure they (investigators) are thorough in what they go through and I’m sure the Integrity Unit will do that,” Maguire said when asked if he expects Asofa-Solomona to miss the Kiwis’ upcoming Tests.
Regardless of the circumstance leading up to his alleged rampage, it appears highly unlikely Asofa-Solomona, who was interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit on Monday, will escape without suspension.
But Maguire was reluctant to condemn the star prop when asked if he was disappointed by what he saw in the video.
“I don’t really want to make a comment again there because unless you actually know what’s happened, I don’t think it’s fair to make comment,” he said.
“Obviously yes, the footage, everyone’s seen it and I’m sure when everything’s calmed down there’ll be some disappointment there.
“But at the end of the day you’ve got to understand the circumstances and I won’t make any more comment about that.”
