Brad Thorn is optimistic Suliasi Vunivalu’s latest injury setback is only minor, joking that he’s “quite annoyed” with how well the Queensland Reds winger has taken to his new football code.
Vunivalu hobbled off with a hamstring injury in the second-half of Friday’s 31-24 loss to the Blues ahead of next week’s final round against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
The Wallabies will play three Tests against France next month and Vunivalu would be hopeful his coach’s estimation that “it didn’t look like a massive issue” is on the money.
The former Melbourne NRL flyer has already missed a chunk of his debut season with a hamstring injury, but still mounted a case for a Test cap thanks to a natural transition that has fellow code-hopper Thorn envious.
“He was walking fine. I’d imagine it is grade one,” former All Black lock and Queensland State of Origin forward Thorn said.
“Isn’t he a special (talent) though. I thought it was supposed to be hard to do the transition from league to union.
“I’m actually quite annoyed how well he’s done it.
“I’m appreciating it (as his coach) but the other side of me is thinking ‘far out, I’ve been telling people it’s hard to come across’.”
Vunivalu pulled up sore chasing a kick for what would have been his fifth try in the last four games since returning from injury.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The winger also showed his poise with another booming in-game clearance kick that found touch, while his defence has been sound.
He even distributed from the ruck when the halfback didn’t arrive and packed down in a scrum on Friday night as the Reds came close to the undefeated Blues at Suncorp Stadium.
That was despite the late outs of James O’Connor (neck) and Bryce Hegarty (hamstring), with 19-year-old fullback Mac Grealy told of his debut while watching NBA earlier in the day.
“He worked hard last year and this year. There were a lot of people in front of him (in the pecking order) but he came in composed, went out there, he mixed it,” Thorn said of the teenager.
“It’s cool that it’s rare now to have a 19-year-old out there having a run, because that was half the team three years ago.”
Thorn also endorsed hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa for the Wallabies’ end-of-season Tests against the French, despite the fact he will then head to France to play club rugby next season.
“I can see him in the number two for Australia, but that’s only my opinion,” Thorn said of the former Sydney garbage man who headed north in 2018 looking for another shot.
“He’s going to be missed and we just wish him well and thank him for what he’s done here.”
Purdo
Roar Rookie
no, but not the vast bilk either.
Pete
Guest
I would of thought Thorn would have know he came from a rugby back ground before being nabbed by the leaguies
soapit
Roar Guru
the best (within limitations of the budget), so not really the best is it.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Tooly: I wish I had your seats for a game! I'm surprised that you are able to tell better than the referees on the spot whether a pass was forward or not.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Oh Dear: The "vast bulk" of rugby League players are not recruited to Union. Union pick the best and most likely to succeed in Union (within the limitations of the budget) so it's to be expected that they will find the transition easy.
Purdo
Roar Rookie
Bobby _ there's nothing simple in Rugby. That's its glory!
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Nah. His job is to do what his role in the team is. He was one of the most effective backs in Aus Rugby this year. Purely judging on lack of tries is overly simplistic. Folau Fainga’a scored a bunch of tries. Guess we should pick him on the wing?
Bobby
Roar Rookie
His job is to score tries. Simple !
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Suli Vunivalu has a lot to learn. Though he's scoring some decent tries he has some serious work ons. His defensive reads are very leaguish where he bites in a hell of a lot and the NZ teams are exploiting that. He's not a very good front and lateral defender and even got bumped off by Robinson last night. His ruck work is quite soft for a massive bloke. Though he is a good finisher and scores some nice tries he needs to learn how to create his own space as the NZ teams have already begun shutting down the centres feeding him. He's excellent in the air so the Reds should be using him more in that role at cross kick passes, restarts and box kick regathers.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
If LSL did take the ball carrier to the ground then yes that is a penalty.
Ben
Guest
Yes, but thats not what LSL does in either maul. He tackles the carrier to the ground...listen to the refs explanation...and hes correct.
RahRah
Roar Rookie
Wrapping up the player is not collapsing the mall or jumping on top of it at all. A player can be wrapped up by an opposing player and remain on his feet. The defending player is allowed to make his way through the middle of the mall, this has always been the case.
Ben
Guest
Ahhh cuw..been waiting for you. Do you still standby your statement that the Hurricanes need to be cut because they dont have the players and nz doesnt have enough good players for 5 teams??? 3 comfortable bonus point wins v Aus teams thus far...
Ben
Guest
"Players must not:Intentionally collapse a maul or jump on top of it." Tackling the ball carrier is collapsing the maul. The third one LSL was pinged for doing exactly that. Listen to the refs explanation . You cannot tackle the ball carrier whos part of a maul..thats collapsing it...penalty.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
Not wanting to make excuses for him. His performance was less than in previous games. I just wonder when he started to feel that hammie.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
So who’s getting the ball to them so they can look so good? Mugs couldn’t do it. Having said that, always room for improvement.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
But not as good as Anthony Herbert, WC’91 I think it was.
CUW
Roar Rookie
yes and there was mr berry berry who stood right in front of the play when Red player jumped into the blue player in the air and saw a knock on . then the ref saw it on screen and gave penalty for foul play then there was mr berry berry who saw a red player tap the ball in from outside the touch line and let play go on - perhaps not up to date on the current Laws !! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: if the test matches are played with European refs - both NZ and aussy are going to be in for a shcoking reality check !!! :sick:
RahRah
Roar Rookie
A bound forward is allowed to move up the middle of the ruck and once the defence gets the ball carrier wrapped up (tackled) the maul will eventually end. Laws 16 & 17 which pertain to the maul do not forbid this tactic and it is employed by many teams and is allowed by the referee.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Strange to be gushing over Vunivalu after that game. I thought he was pretty anonymous while on the field and failed to inject himself. One good kick aside I barely saw him.