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Dave Rennie's phone call to Suliasi Vunivalu to keep him from staying in the NRL

(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)

Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie has called incoming Queensland Reds wing Suliasi Vunivalu to reassure his future in rugby union following reports of the Melbourne Storm’s eagerness to keep him in the NRL.

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The 24-year-old flyer last year signed a A$1.8m two-year deal with the Queensland Rugby Union and Rugby Australia that is due to commence in 2021.

However, the financial downfall that has come with the coronavirus pandemic has thrown that signing into a realm of uncertainty, leading Vunivalu to express some concern over his future.

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In conversation with John Smit.

So who is his choice as Springbok captain?

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In conversation with John Smit.

So who is his choice as Springbok captain?

“If my contract is still there then I’m happy to go on with it, but if not then we’ll see where we go from there,” he said last week.

“My kids and family are all here in Melbourne so this is where I want to stay. I love the city and especially the club, so if they still want me here then I’d want to stay.”

Having scored 76 tries in 96 NRL matches, and dotting down a further 12 times in just eight appearances for the Fiji Bati, it’s no wonder Storm head coach Craig Bellamy made his interest in keeping Vunivalu in Melbourne as clear as possible.

“We’d certainly be very, very interested if Suli wanted to stay,” Bellamy said.

“If they can’t guarantee that they can honour Suli’s contract then we’d certainly be interested in looking at Suli staying here. I don’t know where that stands and what union are doing with their player contracts.

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“We’d love Suli to stay and if we have that opportunity well look at that. He has got a contract with the ARU [Rugby Australia], and Suli’s got to want to do that as well.”

However, a report from The Sydney Morning Herald states that Rennie has contacted Vunivalu to calm any fears about the new Reds recruit’s future after being encouraged to do so by Rugby Australia’s director of rugby Scott Johnson.

Vunivalu will act as a more than suitable replacement for outgoing Reds wing Henry Speight, who has signed a three-year deal with French club Biarritz Olympique.

The 19-cap Wallabies wing had initially signed with the Reds through until 2021 after nine seasons with the Brumbies, but will become the fourth Reds player to leave the franchise during the coronavirus lockdown period following the departures of Izack Rodda, Isaac Lucas and Harry Hockings.

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R
RedWarrior 35 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

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