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The Fijian veteran has since been discharged from hospital and was there to cheer on his teammates ahead of Friday\u2019s must-win clash in Canberra.<\/p>\n
It remains unclear when he\u2019ll be allowed to return to footy, with the Storm desperately missing his size in the middle given man mountain Nelson Asofa-Solomona quit rugby league in the off-season and superstar edge forward Eli Katoa was ruled out for 2026 due to repeated head knocks.<\/p>\n
They\u2019ve been forced to play rookie Cooper Clarke out of position on an edge, but the Storm could get Shawn Blore back from a foot injury this week. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d probably be handy (to have another big body) but we haven\u2019t got it so we have to go with what we\u2019ve got and work out what we need to do well,\u201d Bellamy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe (Kamikamica) has been through a really tough time. To see him back looking as good as he looks is good.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s still got a little way to go, but it\u2019s great to see him back. Hopefully having him back here for the training session can lift the boys\u2019 spirits a little bit. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re probably down on that a little bit, but hopefully that will give us a bit of a lift.\u201d<\/p>\n
Tui Kamikamica. Picture: NRL PhotosSource: Supplied<\/p>\n
The Storm started the season on fire with huge wins over the Eels and the Dragons, but the points have dried up and they\u2019ve leaked tries at an alarming rate to lose their past four games.<\/p>\n
It sets up a tricky trip to the nation\u2019s capital where they\u2019ll face a Raiders side coming off a thrilling win in Perth.<\/p>\n
Bellamy has liked some of the things he\u2019s seen from his side this season, but there were some alarming signs in last week\u2019s loss to the Warriors where they were bullied in front of their home fans. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t look back too much, you look forward and hopefully work out where we need to improve and get better,\u201d the veteran coach said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe train for that and hopefully we do that.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve had a few disruptions with injuries and a few other things that happened off the field, so it\u2019s been a bit of a tough time with that.<\/p>\n
\u201cOn the field, we\u2019ve been good in patches but then not so good in other patches so we need to be a bit more consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n
Hugo Peel at Storm pre-season trainingSource: Supplied<\/p>\n
Local product Sua Fa\u2019alogo has been a shining light at fullback, and there could be another Victorian talent on the field on Friday after exciting youngster Hugo Peel was named on an extended bench fresh from scoring three tries in NSW Cup. <\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s great in the effort areas. He\u2019s fit as and he just wants to be involved in the game,\u201d Bellamy said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith how the system works these days, you\u2019ve got six on the bench but can only use four, so whether he gets a run or not, that\u2019s another thing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019d be good for him to get his debut because he certainly deserves it with the effort he\u2019s put in in reserve grade.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)<\/p>\n
Crichton pushing for return against Eels | 00:47<\/p>\n
TIGERS EXTEND EXCITING YOUNGSTER<\/p>\n
The Wests Tigers have handed down a three-year extension to exciting youngster Tino Tavana, weeks after he made his NRL debut against the New Zealand Warriors in Round 4.<\/p>\n
Keeping him locked in until the end of the 2029 season, Tavana will move from a train-and-trial contract to a development deal next season before being promoted to the Top 30 roster for the final two years of his deal in 2028 and 2029.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll always be grateful to Benji and the Club for giving me the opportunity to make my dream of playing in the NRL a reality \u2013 it was a special moment for me and my family,\u201d Tavana said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve played most of my junior footy in the Camden\/Campbelltown region, so I\u2019m really honoured to be staying at the Tigers. I\u2019ve been here for a few years now coming through the pathways, and now being out there with the boys, it\u2019s a feeling I can\u2019t explain.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe coaches and staff have been a big support during my first pre-season and it\u2019s been great learning and being mentored by the senior boys along the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Will Gus get Bula to the dogs? | 03:33<\/p>\n