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Storm forward Tui Kamikamica.

As far as no-frills, hard-working forwards that fit the Craig Bellamy system go, Melbourne Storm big man Tui Kamikamica ticks just about every box.

Bellamy is revered for finding players with differing pasts that have a point to prove at the top level and making it work.

Kamikamica is exactly that after having started in league and flirted with rugby union early before missing out on the Storm's 2018 finals campaign.

He spent three years with the Eels in their youth teams and feeder club before playing for Canberra Vikings in the National Rugby Championship in 2015.

The Fijian switched back to the 13-man game in 2016 and some impressive performances for the Sunshine Coast Falcons - one of the Storm's feeder clubs - saw the 25-year-old win a full-time playing contract in Melbourne.

The 113kg forward has featured 15 times for the Storm this season - all via the interchange bench - as he continues to make a name for himself.

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"Every time you go out there you have got to do your job because you know there is a lot of competition in the team," Kamikamica said.

"Once you get the chance, you have to just make sure you impress the coach.

"Do your job and if you can do that I reckon you will get to stay on the team. I think I have been doing that for the last couple of weeks and now the aim is to be consistent and maintain that form."

Kamikamica only played five times for the Storm last season, but the departure of Tim Glasby to the Knights and the absence of Christian Welch to a season-ending knee injury means the towering Fijian is now an integral part of the Storm forward rotation.

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And Kamikamica admits the hurt of missing out on the Storm's unsuccessful grand final side last season has him even more determined to maintain his place in the team and help them go one better this year.

"I have got the chance now and I have got to make sure I hold on to it," Kamikamica said.

"I don't think it [my role] will change [with Welch absent] to be honest ... it gives me another opportunity. 

"They are big shoes to fill, but I have just got to go out there and do my job.

"Just keep on doing what I have been doing, nothing fancy. Just hard work in the middle. Just do my job for the team."

While Kiwi duo Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa-Solomona generally do the hard yards at the start of the match, Kamikamica enters the fray when one of the New Zealanders takes a break.

And Asofa-Solomona has faith in Kamikamica's ability to contribute more over the coming weeks.

"With us it is always a next man up mentality and I think Tui will take the opportunity with both hands," Asofa-Solomona said.

"We are just focused on our system here. We stick to what we do well and what works for us."

Acknowledgement of Country

Queensland Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

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