Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn reckons it took him nearly four years to finally figure out rugby but after watching Suliasi Vunivalu for 16 minutes he’s expecting a swifter transition.
The Reds’ big-ticket NRL recruit endured a rocky start at Ballymore, axed from last week’s opener after he was charged with common assault following an altercation with a hotel security guard.
The Melbourne Storm NRL premiership winger could only find a spot on the Reds’ bench for Friday’s second round against the Melbourne Rebels and he was kept waiting until the 64th minute for a slice of the action.
He almost made an incredible impact on an otherwise dour night, sprinting more than 50 metres to chase a James O’Connor kick that Joe Powell’s boot only just reached first to deny a try.
His other touches were slick and the 25-year-old, who grew up playing rugby in Fiji and New Zealand before joining the Storm’s system, was able to celebrate a 23-21 win against another Storm graduate Marika Koroibete.
(Image: Supplied/Rugby Australia/Andrew Phan)
Dual international Thorn was chuffed with what he saw and acknowledged how tough it would have been to come off the bench for a man used to playing 80 minutes.
“That (kick chase) was so cool; he wasn’t going to give up and it was close,” Thorn said.
“By the looks of him tonight and at training, he’s looking good.
“From my own experience, it wasn’t until my second stint in rugby, by the end of that Super Rugby system, that I finally worked out the puzzle of the breakdown and could light up that, ‘I’m going to hit that or this’.
“Those parts of the game are so different to league, but the advantage he has was I was playing rugby as an eight-year-old and came to Australia, whereas Suli was playing first 15 in New Zealand and you don’t forget that skill.
“So I expect him to up-skill very quickly.”
His biggest challenge, though, may be earning a start in a side packed with Wallabies back-line talent.
Fullback Jock Campbell and inside centre Hamish Stewart are the only two who haven’t played for the Wallabies but both played important roles in Thorn’s system.
Flying winger Filipo Daugunu, explosive centre Hunter Paisami and the game-breaking Jordan Petaia, who is playing on the wing for the Reds but in the centres for the Wallabies, are three of the most exciting prospects in Australian rugby.
“We have some talent out there and it sorts itself out over time,” Thorn said.
“Guys won’t just hand their jersey over and that’s what you want. It should be harder and harder.”
LOL Not a reds supporter Poco….( probably my fav side in the SRAU tho )..i seem to get lumped in as one because I am happy to defend Thorn against the many haters…..Its a full time job LOL…Im a born and bread Waikato man who has been a Chiefs supporter from day one…..I must admit tho that the Reds are probably the side I watch live the most as I have often bought 4 game passes so I get to see the NZ sides play live….So of course I see the Reds a fair bit in doing that…Its easy to get to games with the free travel with a ticket and the great stadium…..Havnt been this year but will get to the cross over games if they happen…..
Poco Loco
Roar Rookie
Hi Jacko, love your passion for the Reds. I was beginning to think from your previous posts until this one which reconised some lack of execution by the Reds that you would believe the Reds won even if they lost! LOL :laughing: A win is a win and I do like the Reds attacking play even if it was off this week. Such a potential and exciting backline. I’m looking forward to their game against the Brumbies. Cheers.
Oblonsky’s Other Pun
Guest
Yeah but the Reds’ forwards were much better. Likewise, I do not think it is really that fair to hold the Tahs’ backs accountable when their forwards never gave them any sort of platform to work with
Id like to see him do something on the rugby field first...
The "Wessels way" for too long now
I seriously doubt that Thorn has grasped Rugby yet. Wow...Yet he has somehow been so successful at it....Imagine how good he would have been if he had "grasped rugby" All just luck I guess!
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
But the Reds did and two of the backs were instrumental in Mari's first try. Meanwhile The Rebels didn't get close to scoring a try.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yep, with the amount of money spent on him, I reckon you can guarantee that.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Rebels have a simple plan. Get into opposition 50, work for a penalty and take points on offer. Boring stuff.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
The Reds dominated possession and field position. Apart from penalties the Rebels didn't didn't bother the Reds defence. The Reds stuck at it in the Rebels red zone and reeped the rewards. The Reds showing they aren't a one trick pony isn't a bad thing. Rebels will need to play some positive rugby otherwise they won't challenge.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
There were four wallabies in the Rebels backline and they didn't look like doing anything. The Reds had a off day with their handling partly due to the conditions and partly to playing attacking rugby and things not coming off. The Rebels will need to offer more than just running shedperd and blocking plays if they are going to beat the two best teams. They could have been pinged numerous times with the blockers being in front of the ball carrier and just obstructing the defence.
Agree...That game did not deserve even the rebels getting a bonus point...But they did......brumbies should go to the top with a BP win tonight...
Bobby
Roar Rookie
At least they didn't get a bonus point ha
I think it certainly wasnt the refs plan for toomua to miss.....Ref favoured Rebels all night......What a difference a week makes to the attack... Convincing or not its good to see a team win ugly...had a lot of opportunities in the game but did not execute their attack well at all but did so when it counted...Ive heard they get 4 points for a convincing win OR an unconvincing win......just saying!!!
JimmyEggs
Guest
I think Vunivalu is going to be a first season Wallaby. He runs so hard, like Koroibete showed when he came across. Exciting stuff!
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yep, very convincing win following a complicated game plan explained unerringly by BT. The win had nothing to do with Matt Toomua's miss. Reckon you'd think that was in Brad's plan too.
The half time talk seemed to do the exact job it was intended to do......Thorn doing the job again and it was their attack completion that they were very average in last night......It appears to be impossible for you to acknowlege that the Reds are on the up and that Thorn may have had something to do with that......Yep winners are grinners......My team kicks off next weekend.....
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Great culture Jacko. Bloke belts a security guard, Taniela s disgusting nose incident and the backs failing. Add in JOC's rubbish performance as well. I think the Reds were a bit confused after half time, as I was listening to BT's post half time interview. How embarrassing was that. Anyway Jacko, winners are grinners but there is a lot of improvement in this Reds outfit.
Haha pathetic attacking by the Reds eh Bobby? Maybe they need a better attack coach? :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Im really looking forward to NBs “Rebels ( or Reds ) defense coach” is the best in Aus article this week….. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: or MAYBE the article will be about how tough, strong, patient, persistant, doggid etc the REDS were last night….Real THORN qualities…..What a culture!!!
whether he knew the rule or not is not relevant once Powell decided to try to let it go dead......If he had touched it down it would have been a try....Great effort...