NZ Kiwis and Melbourne Storm prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona will reportedly walk away from the NRL, and switch to Japanese rugby in 2023.
According to Fox Sports, Asofa-Solomona, 25, will leave the NRL at the end of this year and link with Panasonic Wild Knights, run by former Wallabies and Crusaders coach Robbie Deans.
Asofa-Solomona is currently battling Victorian state legislation, unable to return to Melbourne Storm over his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Despite the NRL's refusal to mandate COVID-19 vaccination, players in the states of Victoria and Queensland must receive two or more doses to train and play.
Asofa-Solomona was the only Melbourne Storm player to resist vaccination and missed the December deadline to return to his club for pre-season late last year.
Melbourne Storm captain and NZ teammate Jesse Bromwich's attempts to contact Asofa-Solomona proved futile, with his calls to the hesitant star avoided.
Asofa-Solomona isn't the first NRL star to risk his job by avoiding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Canterbury Bulldogs released forward John Asiata last month, while North Queensland Cowboys have reportedly served a written warning to Tonga star Jason Taumalolo for his refusal.
Japanese Rugby League One has no active vaccine mandate, giving the likes of Asofa-Solomona a potential destination to continue their career, while continuing to avoid the jab.
Asofa-Solomona has won two NRL premierships with Melbourne Storm and played six tests for the Kiwis.
