Suliasi Vunivalu, the former NRL superstar who played 111 games for the Melbourne Storm, has officially landed himself into the Wallabies’ 23-man team list for the very first time.
With some serious accolades to his name in rugby league, including two NRL premierships and the top NRL try scorer award in 2016 and 2017, Vunivalu has added Wallaby cap number 954 to his long list of achievements; the first major step in his union career.
Vunivalu has been presented with a golden opportunity, pardon the pun, to announce his name on the world stage in the decider test match versus England at the SCG.
Named at number 23, coach Dave Rennie will aim to inject Vunivalu late in the match as a potential game-changer. With freakish aerial skills under the high ball and roaring pace despite a series of hamstring injuries, Vunivalu, if given the opportunity, could shine bright on his international debut.
The Fijian flyer has been on big national stages before, scoring a crucial length of the field intercept try for the Storm in their famous 2020 NRL premiership win over the Penrith Panthers.
He has played in four NRL Grand Finals, and a Super Rugby quarter-final against the Crusaders earlier this year, giving the outside back some much-needed big game experience for his Wallabies debut.
Despite struggling with a series of hamstring injuries that have kept the former NRL flyer struggling for game time, Vunivalu has mostly impressed in his 15 games for the Reds over the past two seasons of 2021 and 2022.
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)
He has scored seven tries, with six of them against New Zealand Super Rugby sides. Arguably his best performance for the Reds was his two-try performance as a replacement versus the Highlanders in 2021, where shortly after the half-time break, Bryce Hegarty kicked cross-field to a leaping Vunivalu, who won the ball in the air against Sam Gilbert to score in the corner for the Reds second try.
Similarly, in the 81st minute, Vunivalu scored another cross-field kick try to finish the match with a double.
Again this year, Vunivalu performed strongly against both the Blues and Crusaders, scoring tries in both games, including several other crucial line breaks. Despite some strong performances, Vunivalu did struggle finding rhythm in a few matches this season, most notably against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium, and his returning match against the Melbourne Rebels; where he found very little space, with a limited number of carries. B
ut as the season progressed, Vunivalu’s confidence and positional play improved significantly, becoming one of the Reds’ few shining brights by the end of the season.
With 15 matches for Queensland over the past two seasons, and a solid four-week training block with Wallaby coaches, Vunivalu is primed for a promising debut, with the potential carrot of a Rugby World Cup spot for next year in France.
Dean
Roar Rookie
We will soon find out I guess. I’ll back him to succeed. Can’t go past Marika though.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Happy to see Suli finally get his chance. I hope he gets decent minutes. Winning try coming up for Suli. Im also confident Rennie has a game plan in place to make use of his abilities. Would have loved to see Quade at 10 as he has the skills for him. I think Kerevi will create for Suli in this game. Go the Wallabies!!
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
It’s moved on in that he won’t ever play for Oz, but he is still waltzes in on ability. They rave about Freddie Stewart taking high balls, Izzy did that ease.
Pete
Guest
Was a very good rugby player growing up in Auckland NZ until poached by the leaguies then again money talks when your 18 years old... shouldnt be a problem fitting in to the Wallabies as long as he goes searching for the ball and is given oppurtunities.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Suli will probably get a try and thereafter become another "legend" of OZ Rugby. :happy:
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
I think he used to, but is now much better as a passer, and in making the decisions when topass, when to carry.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Time has moved on, od. I don't think Izzy would make the WB's any longer. Remember his weaknesses too. Several more talented players, all round, than him now
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
I think what s either forgotten, or never been known by some, is that Vunivalu had a strong rugby life before he became a league player. He was recruited by one of Auckland's top schools, St Kentigern College, from Fiji. He was good enough there for the Blues to have in their development squad. From a young age he played and watched rugby. An article by Jim Tucker has this: “I started playing rugby as a kid. We were mad rugby fans in Fiji. I watched World Cups on TV and it was always a goal growing up to play in one.” I have liked what I have seen of Vunivalu since he joined the Reds. He is so much more than a very fast winger with good aerial skills. He has great balance as a runner, and is a highly intelligent footballer, well able to make critical decisions. I would rate him above Daugunu in every area of the game, apart from goal kicking. As an ex soccer goalkeeper, Daugunu has a useful place kicking boot.
wigeye
Guest
With 111 for the storm and 4 grand finals can see why Dave wants him he must really have his heart into this code swap as he was allready at the top in league. Time to pay up , good timing for wc. Gotta wonder why backs don't go looking for the ball if they aren't getting any. Good luck for a good start
PeterK
Roar Guru
Not as good as the other 3 wingers on the field either, nor the english reserve winger.
ozziedude
Roar Rookie
Izzy was/is a gun.. would walk into the wallabies right now
PeterK
Roar Guru
considering they are both better rugby players that may not be a bad thing
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Kerevi holds the ball a lot, as does Hunter. Suli won't get many chances to run, being starved by the inside 2.
Dean
Roar Rookie
Pretty excited to see him running out tonight. He is an absolute weapon when fit.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Yeah, yeah and yeah. Time to put up suli. Doesn't really deserve a Wallaby jersey but he looks to get one anyway. Hope he repays the faithful tonight. Go Wallabies !
scrum
Roar Rookie
Personally I think he is a long way from Test rugby. Undoubtedly talented but reminds me of Folau, poor work rate, seems to lack the ability to inject himself into the game and waits for the play to come to him. Would have preferred Campbell on the bench. More versatile, reads the game a lot better and rarely makes mistakes. But I have faith in Rennie and will not be complaining if I am proved wrong.
Longtimelistener
Guest
What annoys me about this being Suli’s debut is there is no QC in the drivers seat. I’ve always thought Quade had a bit of that leaguey magic where despite a line of defense something can get through. Cross field/grubbed and just look at Sulis highlight reel he can see the bounce of a ball like it’s a basket ball. I can only dream. As far as a battering ram he looks ok too. But having a bench player you can slot in with a distinct attacking plan would be ace. Not sure apart from bash em up how they’ll use him but I hope the hammy holds up ok and he gets some good minutes because everyone that trains with him talks about his strength and he can find the chalk… go well Suli.
Rugbytrylover
Roar Rookie
Kerevi…. just get him the ball.