Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu is poised to make his Super Rugby AU debut for Queensland 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.
While the ex-Melbourne Storm winger will still have to go court in April, Reds coach Brad Thorn had no issues bringing the 25-year-old straight in to 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.”
Vunivalu has been named on the bench along with another potential debutant in Sam Wallis, with Thorn making just one change to the starting lineup 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’ve 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 finisher from the bench.
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.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Good luck to him and I hope he does well. Let’s hope he’s a faster learner than previous recruits on things like the different positioning in defence and attack, tackling and how to be effective at the breakdown.
Bobby i have heard that Suli isnt costing the Reds all that much.......RA covering a fair bit of his contract to get him to switch back to Union.....I heard the amount was around 350K for the Reds and 400K from RA but I havnt had that confirmed.......To me at 350-400k he is a bargain as I think he will be sensational......Time will tell eh!
Charlie Turner
Guest
I hope RA are carrying the lions share of his contract.....otherwise it's a poor investment.
Rugby wizard
Guest
What I like about BT is he wont tolerate average performances no matter who you are, and the Reds players know it,you can get away with it at the Wallabies but at the Reds there are high standards. It's a long season and I hope we get to see Grealy and Flook start a few games,they have huge potential.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Broncos weren't absukyte rubbish when he signed
Broken Shoulder
Roar Rookie
Plus if I recall correctly, the Reds didn't have much attacking strike power in 2019. Petaia burst onto the scene then got injured but that was all at 13. Naivalu, CFS and Campbell were preferred on the wings and Daugunu got 4/5 games as well without scoring. So signing Vunivalu at the end of that year was a really good move. They just had no idea the Reds backline would be as good as it was in 2020/2021.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
To capitalise on the chaos at the Broncos and attract their supporters to Rugby.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
The Reds must be cashed up. Why would you spend huge dollars on a winger like Suli, when you already have a potent back line. Beggars belief.