Injury fails to stop Tui from playing

Melbourne: Storm prop Tui Kamikamica has been struggling with a back injury but looks set to suit up for Saturday’s showdown with Canberra. Melbourne assistant coach Jason

Ryles said the Fijian prop had been placed in cotton wool to ensure he would be right for the team’s restart to the Telstra Premiership season.

“Tui has had a bit of an upset back for the last couple of days. He didn’t train during the back part of last week, but he is going to be fine come tomorrow, we are told.

“If he doesn’t start he will certainly be in the 17. We will see how he presents, but there shouldn’t be any reason why he wouldn’t be in the 17 somewhere.”

The battle for places in the Storm pack is intense with Kiwi international Brandon Smith (facial fracture) and Maroons prop Christian Welch (knee) available after missing the opening two rounds of the season.

Welch made his return from his latest serious knee problem in the Intrust Super Cup in March before that competition was cancelled and the NRL was forced into a hiatus

- nrl.com