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Suliasi Vunivalu set for Wallabies return after long injury layoff
Cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu is set to return to the Wallabies squad after a lengthy sideline spell with a hamstring injury.
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Speaking to media in Brisbane on Wednesday, Vunivalu revealed he is a matter of weeks away from returning to the Wallabies camp after missing out on selection for the July test series against France and the Rugby Championship due to an injury he picked up while playing for the Reds in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman.
“I’m probably just a couple of weeks off, so if I can pass a couple of fitness tests, I’ll be back with the whole squad,” the former NRL Premiership-winner said.
“At the moment, I’m just focusing on getting my hamstring right and getting back my speed. I’ve got to keep working hard, and if I do get in, I’ll take it.”
The 25-year-old is yet to debut for the Wallabies since crossing over from rugby league following last year’s NRL campaign, where he signed off on a five-year spell with the Melbourne Storm.
During that time, Vunivalu scored 86 tries in 111 appearances, won two NRL Premierships and represented Fiji in eight test matches, but he is yet to enjoy such success in rugby union.
While he impressed in his debut season with the Reds, scoring five tries in seven outings, Vunivalu’s campaign was marred by an assault charge in January, which was eventually dropped last month, in addition to his hamstring issue.
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However, the Fijian-born wing’s potential in the XV-man code is immense, and that was reflected when Wallabies boss Dave Rennie rushed him into the national squad in a non-playing capacity for the latter stages of last year’s Tri-Nations.
As Vunivalu alluded to, Rennie is expected to call on the former St Kentigern College 1st XV sensation in similar fashion when the Wallabies relocate to Queensland for the rest of the Rugby Championship after this week’s clash with the All Blacks in Perth.
Without Vunivalu’s services thus far this year, Rennie has used the likes of Filipo Daugunu, Jordan Petaia, Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway and Marika Koroibete, an ex-teammate of Vunivalu’s at the Storm, on the wing.
Vunivalu said he’s excited by what his teammates have offered up out wide in their tests against France and the All Blacks in recent months, and is eager to don the green and gold jersey for the first time against either the Springboks or Los Pumas in the coming weeks.
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“We have a really young backline squad there. We’re really excited with what he’s planned for the team, so, like I said, if I do get in, I’ll take it with both hands.”
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Following the announcement of Super Rugby Pacific earlier this week, Vunivalu added he keenly awaits the arrival of Moana Pasifika and the Fijian Drua into the revamped competition next year.
Given his Fijian heritage, Vunivalu said he will take particular interest in the Fijian Drua, which will be based in Queensland in its debut campaign due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns in Fiji.
“It’s really good. It’s good to have that different game style. We had New Zealand this year with Super Rugby Aotearoa and Super [Rugby] AU combined, and with that coming along with Moana and Fijian Drua, it’s going to be really exciting,” he said.
“Good to start those footy skills from those Fijians. I’m really excited for them, especially for my home country, so it’ll be good. I’m looking forward to it.”
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Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
4 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
4 Go to comments