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'I was in a dark place': Suli unleashed at last, and Origin carnage has ex-league star frothing for debut after tough ride

14th July, 2022
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14th July, 2022
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Suli Vunivalu admits he was in a dark place as he battled hamstring injuries, wondering if he’d made a mistake in swapping league for union.

The former Melbourne Storm star was named Thursday on the bench for the deciding Test against England in Sydney on Saturday and hopes to bring some of the intensity shown in his former code during Wednesday night’s State of Origin clash to the 15-man game.

“It’s been a long time coming with a couple of setbacks last year,” said Vunivalu of his belated call up. “The main goal coming over to rugby was obviously to play for the Reds and to don this gold jersey.

“I feel really grateful to be able to be picked, especially in this big Test game in Sydney. Watching the boys last year getting picked for the Spring Tour while I was doing my rehab in Melbourne, I was just like itching to be there one day. Now the day has come and I’m just really excited.”

Back to back hamstring injuries restricted him to just six appearances in 2021. He had more success this year but the Reds struggled. Doubts were inevitable.

“I was actually in a really dark place,” Vunivalu said. “That thought came in my mind:  Did I really do a right decision to come over?  I just had to look at it in a positive way. It’s just a small setback. I needed to stay positive.”

“It’s a massive credit to myself and everyone who’s helped me throughout the process. And I’m just really grateful for all the staff at the Reds and here at the Wallabies to help me get to this stage.”

The worst moment was his second hamstring injury.

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“I was playing really good footy and then at the back end I just did my second hammy,” Vunivalu said.

“I thought ‘far out I’ve never done this in league before, maybe the game is different here in union.’ So I just readjusted some of my training programs and the trainers here have helped me with that.”

Dave Rennie has eased his transition into the national team, with the prospect he will be part of next year’s World Cup plans, but the past four weeks in camp has been an education.

“Coming in here there’s that expectation from the different coaches,” he said.

“They expect you to do things that I usually don’t do back in club level that I know I’m missing in my game, like positioning, being busy all the time.

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“And throughout that four weeks that we had at Sunny Coast I have worked really hard on that and obviously, you let the coaching staff make you get better in those particular areas. I’m a better player than I was a month ago.”

I asked Vunivalu if he missed rugby league when he was watching the State of Origin decider.

He smiled and answered diplomatically.

“I just like watching it and just zoning in to watch the players you played with and played against,” Vunivalu said. “State of Origin is a massive game here this time of the year, everyone’s just zoning to watch it and cheer for their state.”

But after four weeks of going back to Dave Rennie’s finishing school for code hoppers, the Origin battle has Vunivalu craving the red meat of battle.

“After watching that game it just made me look forward for the Saturday game with that intensity right from the star,” he said.

“We’ve been lacking that with the Wallabies in the first 20 so if we can bring that up and shut the Pommies up then we’ll do a good job and be having a good yarn at the end of the game.”

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Suliasi Vunivalu poses for a photo before an Australian Wallabies training session on June 21, 2022 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Suliasi Vunivalu poses for a photo before an Australian Wallabies training session on June 21, 2022 in Sunshine Coast, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Rennie has worked on Vunivalu increasing his involvement in attack.

“I’ve not done that enough this year. This but this past month being in this camp, has made me work hard from being busy and just looking for work around the park.

“I just have to be me. Play the footy, get myself involved, communicate well and help the other players out.”

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