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'That's all fish and chip paper now': Troubled Vunivalu set for belated Super Rugby debut with Reds

By AAP
(Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu is poised to make his Super Rugby AU debut for Queensland Reds off the bench in Friday’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium. The prized recruit was forced to sit out last weekend’s season-opening win over the NSW Waratahs after being stood down for one match and fined for allegedly striking a security guard in the face late last month.

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While the ex-Melbourne Storm winger will still have to go court in April, Reds coach Brad Thorn had no issues bringing 25-year-old Vunivalu straight into his team to face the Rebels. “Good to have him involved this week and obviously we were hoping it was last week,” Thorn said.

“I guess that’s all fish and chip paper now. He’s been preparing for Friday and I think a lot of people will be excited to see what he brings.”

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The Reds look ahead to their Super Rugby AU round two match

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The Reds look ahead to their Super Rugby AU round two match

Vunivalu has been named on the Reds bench along with another potential debutant in Sam Wallis, with Thorn making just one change to the starting line up that belted the Waratahs 41-7 last Friday. 

Thorn insists introducing Vunivalu off the bench was always his plan but added the performance of his backline against the Waratahs didn’t justify change for change’s sake.

“It’s definitely how I like to do it if someone’s coming in from an injury or new to the team. It just takes the pressure off,” he said.” You have also got to remember you’ve got Jordan Petaia and Filipo Daugunu, you’ve got Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami there. You’ve got Jock Campbell at the back. It’s not just a list that someone can walk into is it?”

In the one change to the run-on team, Taniela Tupou starts at tighthead prop with Feao Fotuaika to take on the job as a finisher from the bench.

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QUEENSLAND REDS: Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O’Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Sulisai Vunivalu.

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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