Nelson Asofa-Solomona

Nicknamed Big Nasty, Asofa-Solomona hadn't played in a month before their preliminary final win over Cronulla due to an ankle injury.

Coming off the bench, he used his 201cm, 123kg frame to plenty of damage through the middle against the Sharks while making 21 tackles.

But Storm assistant coach Jason Ryles warned the New Zealand Test prop would be better for the hit-out and he expected an improved performance at ANZ Stadium.

The Storm trailed 6-0 midway through the first half before Asofa-Solomona made his presence felt immediately, and as a player labelled as the next big thing – literally and metaphorically – it’s a matter of time before the interchange forward becomes a full-time force in the NRL.