He disclosed that his decision to move codes to the NRL was primarily motivated by Benji Marshall.
Solomon Alaimalo, a winger for the Wests Tigers, has announced that he will return to the 15-man code and confirmed his departure from the team.
In a passionate social media statement, Alaimalo, one of just two players from the 2024 NRL squad still without a contract, announced that his rugby league career is temporarily over and that he will be returning “to the Gilbert and looking forward to what’s next.”
Alaimalo, who has played professional rugby union since the age of 20, moved across the ditch from New Zealand during the preseason and joined a new team, the Tigers, as well as a new code.
Unexpectedly, Alaimalo would make his NRL debut after just eight rounds. Despite this, he made an impression in his few on-field opportunities, averaging 105 running metres and scored two tries.
Alaimalo talked to Zero Tackle earlier this year about the change in rules and playing for Benji Marshall, a national legend and someone he looked up to.
His arrival made him the second Super Rugby player to join with the team in recent seasons, after former Dally M Medallist Roger Tuivasa-Sheck before to his debut.
Despite acknowledging that switching between the different sports was “tough,” particularly given his brief preseason, Alaimalo said he is pleased of himself.
“Very tough, dude. At the time, he stated, “I did everything I could to sort of catch up, but I think the short preseason didn’t help.”
“Compared to where I was, I’m quite proud of where I am now December and taking pleasure in it as well.
Before taking a hiatus from rugby in 2021, the flyer, who was a stalwart for New Zealand’s Super Rugby clubs throughout his stint in the 15-man game, played for the Chiefs and Highlanders.
After that, he went back to playing rugby union for the Waikato Chiefs and, more recently, Canterbury, who participated in the National Provincial Championship in New Zealand.
When Zero Tackle asked the winger what it meant to play for Marshall, he said that it was the primary reason he decided to leave rugby union and join the Wests Tigers.
“It’s amazing, especially being a Kiwi and watching him when I was growing up,” he said.
One of the main reasons I moved across the ditch was because I adore playing for him as a coach with my partner.”
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