A Wallabies debut for ex-NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu will have to wait with the winger to miss the upcoming Tests against France with a hamstring injury.
Vunivalu hobbled off the field in Queensland’s 31-24 Super Rugby Trans-Tasman loss to the Blues last weekend and Wallabies coach Dave Rennie says the injury is significant enough to rule him out of the three-Test series against the French next month.
“Obviously a reasonably serious hamstring injury,” Rennie told AAP.
“That’s going to see him miss the French series and we’ll know a little bit more detail beyond that but he certainly won’t be available for France.”
Despite the setback, Rennie was hopeful Vunivalu will have opportunity to make his Test debut later in the international season.
“We’re really happy with his progress. The Reds have done a really good job with him,” Rennie said.
“Disappointing for him but his job really is to rehab quickly and try and get back.
“We’ve got a lot of Tests and so there’s a lot of opportunity for him to still play for us.”
Injured five-eighth James O’Connor is expected to be named when Rennie names his squad for the French series on Sunday.
The Reds captain was a late scratching for the Blues game with a neck injury and hasn’t travelled to New Zealand for their last fixture of 2021 against the Hurricanes in Wellington.
“He’s been getting stingers for about the last four to five weeks,” Rennie said.
“We anticipate him being right.”
Rennie is unfazed about concerns the French are reportedly unhappy about strict quarantine requirements before their travel to Australia.
The Wallabies coach is confident the issues will be sorted and hasn’t been forced to make changes to his own plans due to the uncertainty.
“As we know, from last year, we thought our first Test was in Brisbane and two weeks later, we were in Wellington,” Rennie said.
“It is what it is.
“What I know is, from a quarantine point of view, it’s pretty good for the sporting teams, like we had in New Zealand and like the Argentinians had here in Australia.
“The French will be able to come in, they’ll be able to train fully and prepare well. I’m sure there’s no issues around it.”
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Never regarded him as a chance but with Deep Dave you never know .
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
:laughing: :laughing:
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Good thing we have Tom Wright and Koroibete on our wings.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Same injury that used to keep him on the sidelines at the Storm. Looks like its only getting worse. Last 2-3 years at the Storm he would have at least a quarter season on the sidelines with hammy issues. This year looks more like half the season if not more. They’ll have to figure a way to manage it or their ROI is going to be very poor. Regardless its only a matter of time before he gets his Wallabies jersey.
Tour will be called off. French can only get 420 mins into them..... :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: Or MAYBE the French arnt sooks??? We know they arnt protecting their ranking!!
Hoy
Roar Guru
SV can kick, and diffuse high balls easily... a much better prospect in the long term, if he can stop breaking down.
Rugby wizard
Guest
Koroilbete made his test debut in 2017 and only really started showing quality in 2019 and he still cant kick or diffuse high balls. It is to early to wright off Vunivalu being a international star. Fickou,Penaud and Dulin and the reserve back 3 of France are very competitive in the air,with DHP and Vunivalu out,I am sure French kicking coach Vlok Cilliers will be licking his lips.
P2R2
Roar Rookie
That is why you are not a coach or a medico...
Dean
Roar Rookie
Give him a chance Cobba. Seems to have a bit more starch in defence than Izzy and is developing an aerial game that may well be better. He is certainly faster and a better stepper. Izzy had more bulk and carried it at pace. P=mv(#2) Izzy had exceptional momentum, with the ability to hip check, swerve and offload. Sualesi is a different player, doesn’t make him worse.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Well, that’s a trite disappointing. Hopefully he mends fully. Short term pain for long term gain. His involvement and improvement has excelled in the last couple of matches.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
I suspect all the whingeing about quarantine is in reality coming more from the French clubs who would rather rest their star players than having them playing test matches and possibly getting hurt. I would be massively surprised if the full French 6N team toured. The owners of French clubs are hugely self-centred; they make our Shute Shield 7 look like benefactors to all things westies. :silly:
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Obese, S.Vunivalu injury prognosis is at least 2 months out, so that rubs him out till August. These blokes are like fine-tuned racehorsees and olympic sprinters, fast as hell but always suss to a pulled hammy if the muscles aren't warm and you take off to run down a kick or whatever. J.Petaia is similar.
Busted Fullback
Roar Rookie
The French will be fine with the quarantine. A full domestic season and 6N... I’m sure there’s 500 minutes there somewhere. :laughing: :silly:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
IF I was an Accountant and doing a review on Suli and what he cost, my report would say he was a terrible investment. Maybe he'll prove some worth someday.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
No. What’s bizarre is you thinking medicos give statements to the media. This stuff is always relayed through coaches…..
ethan
Guest
This is his second hamstring injury in a short period of time. Those things can be pesky to recover from and should never be rushed. Easy chance of re-injury if you return early, as witnessed. Now, they are a clearly taking no chances. Smart.
Warwick Todd
Guest
If they paid him more money would his hamstrings be stronger?
web
Roar Rookie
I would argue the kick Vunivalu launched from his 22 on Friday night was better than Folau did his whole career
Jockstar
Guest
Who cares , he is no Folau. He just isn’t that good.
Obes
Guest
Still a bizzare comment. You always give your best players the chance to play. He should have said " we will see " Rennie will learn the art of being a good test coach in front of a camera sooner or later. He is still a rookie test coach so i can forgive his mishaps.He will learn from his errors.