Melbourne Storm bid Young Tonumaipea, who was on a mission, a sorrowful farewell.
In the event that utility player Young Tonumaipea decides to rejoin rugby league following his Mormon mission, the door at the Melbourne Storm remains open.
Two years in the NRL is a long time, and anything can happen, according to coach Craig Bellamy.
Even when Tonumaipea completes his missionary work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2019, the coach will still be hanging about the hallways thanks to a new three-year contract that he recently signed.
We shall see how it works because he made no requests for assurances. While he’s away, the club will change, and he could change as well,” Bellamy told NRL.com.
“But I assured him that the boys and I would stay in contact with him so that we would be aware of his whereabouts and how he’s doing. You just never know.”
For their first game without Tonumaipea in their lineup, the Storm traveled to New Zealand on Friday in preparation for their round 19 matchup with the Warriors on Sunday.
At Brookvale Oval, the 25-year-old made his debut in the 2014 season against Manly in the first round. It just so Melbourne Storm
After forcing home a 14–13 victory, many veteran Storm players, including prop Jesse Bromwich and captain Cameron Smith, were in tears as they hugged Tonumaipea on the ground.
“What a great child he is. He makes a great club guy. Being able to play fullback, flank, and center made him quite essential to us. He’s quiet and reserved,” Bellamy added.
“He played every one of those for us, and the only reason it was difficult for him to play regular first grade was because we already had such excellent players in those positions.
But he never wavered from doing what was best for the team. He was a great buddy to my players and a great guy to have around the club.”
Bellamy would have wanted a different schedule, but losing to Tonumaipea with just seven matches remaining before the championships is justified by his utility worth.
