- Tui Kamikamica operated on in Melbourne hospital
Melbourne Storm forward Tui Kamikamica declared he wants to return to the NRL as soon as he woke up from surgery to treat a suspected stroke.
Kamikamica, 31, suffered the medical episode when he had a seizure after getting up to go to the toilet in the early hours of Monday morning.
He was rushed to Royal Melbourne Hospital in an ambulance after his partner called emergency services.
Astonishingly, after waking up from surgery, the Fijian international told Melbourne Storm teammate Eli Katoa and the club’s welfare officer Young Tonumaipea he was ‘pi**ed off’ he won’t line up this weekend against ladder leaders Penrith at CommBank Stadium.
Club medical staff believe Kamikamica’s frightening episode was the result of an underlying medical issue rather than anything related to rugby league.
The veteran forward played 25 minutes off the bench last Saturday against North Queensland in Townsville.
Melbourne Storm forward Tui Kamikamica has declared he wants to return to the NRL despite suffering a suspected stroke and being rushed to hospital on Monday
After waking up from surgery, the Fijian international said he was ‘pi**ed off’ he won’t line up this weekend against Penrith at CommBank Stadium
‘Tui is receiving the best possible care and is being supported by hospital specialists, alongside the club’s medical staff,’ the Storm said in a statement.
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 national team in 2016.
Kamikamica moved to Australia in 2013 and initially played for the Wentworthville Magpies, who are Parramatta’s feeder club.
He also ran out for the Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup before making his first-grade debut.
With fellow enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona leaving the club in the off-season to pursue a boxing career, Kamikamica has become a linchpin in the Storm’s forward pack.
His 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 experiencing seizure activity.
