‘The best we’ve seen’: Ex-Wallaby hails former NRL star as ‘world-class’ talent

Dual international Mat Rogers had described Suliasi Vunivalu as one of the Wallabies’ three “world-class” wingers ahead of next month’s Rugby World Cup.

Former NRL star Vunivalu was a shining light for the Wallabies on Sunday, with the wing scoring a try towards the end of his “best” performance in an Australian jersey.

Playing in front of an unbelievably vocal crowd at Stade de France, Vunivalu set the tone during the first half with a series of captivating runs and line breaks down the right edge.

Vunivalu, 27, ended up carrying the ball 13 times for a hard-earned 87 meters, made three line breaks and beat three defenders as well. The speedster’s efforts didn’t go unnoticed back in Australia, either.

Former Wallaby Mat Rogers, who played in the NRL before switching codes to play for Eddie Jones’ Wallabies ahead of the 2003 World Cup, has praised Vunivalu for his promising performance.

“He backed himself from the start, which was fantastic to see – the best we’ve seen in the Wallabies jersey,” Rogers said on Stan Sport.

“He got himself involved in the game and when you get an early touch, you get a bit of confidence and you just build on that. He’s a great athlete.

“He’s a great finisher, give him an opportunity with a little bit of space and he’ll take it and he did that tonight.”

Vunivalu has, at least before Sunday’s test in northern Paris, failed to deliver in Wallaby gold under both Dave Rennie and Eddie Jones.

The electric winger played about a minute off the bench under Rennie, but was handed his first Test start ahead of the Wallabies’ clash with the Springboks last month. It didn’t go to plan.

Boks star Kurt-Lee Arendse scored a hat-trick of tries on Vunivalu’s wing, and the Wallaby was also sent to the sin bin for a professional foul. Vunivalu hasn’t been called upon by coach Jones since.

But Vunivalu silenced some critics last weekend, and the winger’s performance may give coach Jones “a headache” going into the sports showpiece event.

“He does give Eddie Jones a headache, doesn’t he? I mean he’s got three world-class wingers now in Mark (Nawaqanitawase), Suli and Marika (Koroibete),” Rogers added.

“I think (Andrew) Kellaway was great at the back as well. It’s a good problem to have.”

The Wallabies’ defeat at Stade de France saw them fall to their fifth loss from as many starts under coach Jones. They’ll go into the World Cup without registering a win under the rugby guru.

But the Wallabies are improving. The men in gold have come a long way since their disastrous loss to the Boks in Pretoria, and appear to be edging closer to that elusive victory.

“We’ve got more players improving than declining, Suli is one,” Jones told reporters after the Test.

“At Super Rugby level he couldn’t blow a candle out, and at Test level, he scored one good try, could have scored a couple more.

“He looks like he’s ready to play at the highest level.”