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Suliasi Vunivalu has received a one-match ban for his double trips in the Queensland Reds loss to Fijian Drua.
The Wallabies winger was handed a yellow card four minutes into the match when he tripped Drua’s Kitione Salawa metres from the try-line. That cost the Reds a penalty try and in the second half he made a similar error when trying to tackle Selestino Ravutaumada.
He misses this week’s match against the Force but can return a week later against the Waratahs.
Vunivalu trips Kitione Salawa. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Meanwhile his teammate Josh Flook has backed himself to play through the pain as a Wallabies jersey beckons and the Queensland Reds plot a road-trip to the Super Rugby Pacific title.
The Reds’ No.13 has fought through an AC joint injury suffered against Moana Pasifika last month, rested from two of the side’s past five games in an attempt to manage the ailment.
The 22-year-old wincing in pain and grabbing at his shoulder after a tackle or fall has been a regular sight in the past month, but Flook has no plans to rest again and is confident the complaint will subside without surgery.
“I’m not very good at just sitting back and watching, but it was probably needed just at this time of year, a little refresher,,” he said of missing the Reds’ last-round loss in Fiji.
“I’m happy to play through a bit of pain if you can help your mates beside you.
“But to chill for the week and refresh, that’s really helped.”
Flook was part of the Wallabies’ extended squad that was narrowed down before last year’s World Cup.
He thinks his game has matured since then as he eyes a potential Test debut against Wales in July.
The depth at No.12 is strong, but there are fewer options for the Wallabies in the position outside of that.
World Cup No.13 Jordan Petaia (shoulder) is injured, while Waratahs gun Izaia Perese has signed to play in England next year.
Brumbies No.13 Len Ikitau is an obvious contender, but the all-round skill set of Flook and his partnership with the rampaging Hunter Paisami is a compelling option.
“Yeah, you want to be able to take that step at some stage,” Flook said.
“I’ve matured as a player, have a bit more of a leadership role and started to find my voice, and … he (Paisami) is one of the best players in the comp at the moment, makes my life easier.”
The 22-year-old is set for his 50th Super game in Saturday’s penultimate regular-season round, against Western Force in Brisbane.
Victory would lock in fifth place and a knockout quarter-final against the Chiefs in New Zealand, while also jeopardising the ninth-placed Force’s own finals hopes.
The Reds beat the Crusaders in Christchurch this season for the first time since 1999, beat the Chiefs in Brisbane and have lost games to the Blues, Hurricanes and Brumbies by a converted try or less.
“We just want to do the best we can,” Flook said.
“We’ve set no markers, but we’ve had some good games against (top-four sides) the Blues, Hurricanes, Brumbies and Chiefs.
“If you have a good game on the day, you know you’re going to go close.
“If we go across there (to New Zealand) we’ll take on that competition and love it.”
The injury-hit Blues want to call up Beauden Barrett, who is training with the team, for the Super Rugby finals.
Barrett is back with the squad to prepare for the All Blacks Tests having completed his sabbatical season in Japan.
With injuries to fullback Zarn Sullivan and Stephen Perofeta, the Blues are looking for cover in both roles.
“Beauden is back from Japan and given he’s contracted with the Blues in 2025 and lives in Auckland, he’s back training with the team,” the club said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Blues are seeking clarification around the application process for including Barrett at the [club] for the remainder of this season.”
Last week the head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said of the sabbatical players: “You’re unlikely to see any of them in Super Rugby. The competition rules are that anyone playing offshore as of April 1 in a Super competition year can’t play in the finals.
“The very most you would see is someone coming back in as an emergency replacement for a few games to fill a gap.”
The Blues are 11-1 this season and on a nine-game winning streak. They have to play the Crusaders and Chiefs ahead of a locked in home quarterfinal.
The tributes seem to have already been written with Sam Cane opting to move overseas permanently at the end of the year, but he’s making sure everyone knows he still wants to play for the All Blacks in 2024.
With Cane taking up a long term deal in Japan his days as All Blacks captain look over.
But the told The Breakdown he wanted to reach 100 Tests, currently being on 95.
“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t [part of the motivation],” he said.
“Also I’m contracted with NZ Rugby this year, they’ve been outstanding throughout this whole process, and seeing out this year’s contract sits well with me.
“I’m pretty driven to have one last crack at the All Blacks, whatever capacity that may be. This could be my 12th year.
“I know there are never any guarantees with the All Blacks, that you’ve got to earn your spot and prove it, and that won’t change. It’s probably even more reinforced with some new selectors in place.”
Cane, who was red carded in the World Cup final loss, said he was fit enough to keep going, despite facing injury issues this year.
Sam Cane. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“Though I’ve had my fair share of injuries, I’m not a broken man who feels like I’m hanging on,” he said. “My body is actually in good shape, and the key is mentally I’m still driven by the challenge of wanting to play rugby and perform well.
“As long as that fire is still there it’s going to take quite a lot from my body for me to give in.
“I’m confident I’ve got lots to offer that team still. Hopefully I can manage to get a few more [Tests] in.
“The first half of my career those Test matches just kept racking up, and the second half, mainly through injuries, they didn’t come as quickly and easily.
“It makes you appreciate it a bit more when you’ve had to go through sometimes hardship to get to the next one.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.