Melbourne Storm star Tui Kamikamica is recovering in hospital after suffering a suspected stroke on Monday morning.
The 31-year-old forward played for the Storm in Saturday night’s loss to the North Queensland Cowboys, coming off the bench for 25 minutes in the 28-24 defeat.
‘Melbourne Storm can confirm that forward Tui Kamikamica is currently in hospital following a medical episode on Monday morning,’ the club said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
‘He has undergone treatment for a suspected stroke and is recovering in hospital.
‘Tui is receiving the best possible care and is being supported by hospital specialists, alongside the Club’s medical staff.’
Kamikamica suffered the suspected stroke in the middle of the night while he was at home in Melbourne and his partner called an ambulance, according to News Corp.
Storm star Tui Kamikamica (pictured) is recovering in hospital after suffering a suspected stroke on Monday
The club said the 31-year-old Fijian international (pictured right playing the Dragons this year) is being treated by specialists following the medical episode
The forward has been a powerhouse for the Storm since breaking into first grade in 2017
Kamikamica has played 142 matches for Melbourne, his only NRL club, since starting with the team in 2017, scoring 11 tries.
He has also represented his homeland of Fiji in 22 matches after first starring for the team in 2016.
Kamikamica moved to Australia in 2013 as he broke into rugby league with the Parramatta Eels, playing for their feeder club, the Wentworthville Magpies.
He also ran out for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in Queensland before making his debut for Melbourne in their round-five match against Penrith.
Kamikamica, who has a young son also called Tui, was linked to the UK Super League before signing a deal to remain with Melbourne for the 2026 season.
With Nelson Asofa-Solomona leaving the club to pursue a boxing career, he has become a linchpin in the Storm’s forward pack.
Kamikamica’s health drama comes on the back of Storm coach Craig Bellamy raising the possibility that Melbourne star Eli Katoa’s career could be over after he required emergency brain surgery last year.
The two-time Dally M Second Rower of the Year suffered three head knocks in the space of 90 minutes while playing for Tonga against New Zealand in last year’s Pacific Championships, including one collision while warming up with teammate Lehi Hopoate.
In disturbing scenes, Katoa required oxygen after suffering seizure activity.
‘He’s doing really well at the moment,’ Bellamy said.
‘I don’t know if he’ll play next year. I don’t know if he’ll play again.
‘The doctors haven’t made that decision, and I don’t know when that decision will get made, to be quite honest.’
More to come…
