Storm boss Frank Ponissi provides 'remarkable' update after Tui Kamikamica's stroke
Storm footy boss Frank Ponissi has provided a promising update on the return of Tui Kamikamica following fears the star prop may never play in the NRL again.
Kamikamica was discharged from the Royal Melbourne Hospital last week after suffering a suspected stroke and is now receiving treatment in a rehabilitation centre.
The Storm confirmed Kamikamica had experienced a "medical episode", with the nature of the incident casting a cloud over his future as a rugby league player.
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The 31-year-old Fijian international has been a key player in Craig Bellamy's first-choice team over the past few seasons, featuring in 142 games since debuting in 2017.
Ponissi has put an end to speculation around whether Kamikamica will play again.
"Yes, he will play again, we just don't know when," he said in a video posted by the Storm.
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"With Tui and the extent of his injury, it is something that we are not going to rush into.
"He will definitely be back ... he just has to go through a lot more rehab and assessments. It is too early to put a date on that at this stage.
Tui Kamikamica of the Storm runs the ball. Getty
"He was released out of hospital after a couple of days, which was remarkable.
"He is now in a rehab centre doing a lot of work. He is very close to being released from there to go home (likely) in the next 24 to 48 hours, which is great news for him.
"He is doing everything he needs to do, he is recovering."
The Storm are already without Eli Katoa for the season after he underwent surgery for a brain bleed that he suffered following several head knocks during the Pacific Championships last season.
Bellamy is hopeful Katoa will be fit to return to the field as a player in 2027.
The Storm will face the Warriors on Saturday evening.
