NRL player Kamikamica cleared of assault

Laine Clark | April 27, 2022

Sidelined for the opening seven rounds, Melbourne prop Tui Kamikamica is on track to make his NRL return after his assault charge was dismissed in Brisbane.

The 27-year-old – whose full name is Erevonu Tuicaumatalevu Kamikamica – has not played this season after police alleged he assaulted a 30-year-old woman outside a Fortitude Valley hotel in November last year.

He was stood down by the Storm after telling the club of his situation following a police investigation, almost a fortnight after the alleged incident.

The 110kg, 195cm forward was cleared to return to training in December, but could not play due to the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy.

He was initially set to contest a charge of assault occasioning bodily harm in a two-day trial this week.

A warrant for Kamikamica’s arrest was issued in January when he failed to appear but had been placed on file until his court date this week.

However, Kamikamica was discharged in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Wednesday after prosecutor Bimal Raut did not offer evidence for the charge.

The Storm player – represented by Melbourne lawyer Hayden Rattray – did not appear in court but was spotted at a nearby cafe afterwards.

“(The) … warrant is recalled and cancelled. The charge is dismissed and Mr Kamikamica is discharged,” magistrate Peter Saggers said.

Kamikamica has played 55 NRL games and represented Fiji 12 times.

He is set to bolster a Melbourne pack that has also been without the experienced Christian Welch (Achilles).

Despite their forwards depth being tested the Storm have cruised to a 6-1 season start to trail only undefeated defending premiers Penrith, a run capped by a club record-equalling 70-10 Anzac Day thrashing of the Warriors.