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Former NRL star Vunivalu shows glimpses of class on Reds debut

Suliasi Vunivalu /Getty Images

Former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu showed glimpses of class in his first rugby game for the Queensland Reds, but finished on the losing side as the NSW Waratahs prevailed 45-33 in a pre-season trial in Narrabri.

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Two late tries from replacement centre Joey Walton on Friday secured victory for the Waratahs after they trailed 33-31 early in the last of the four quarters in the NSW country town.

New NSW captain Jake Gordon bagged a brace of opportunistic tries but, with some of the Wallabies on both teams not starting or playing, much of the focus was on the debut of former Melbourne Storm star Vunivalu.

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“I remember being tackled by you”

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“I remember being tackled by you”

The winger, who scored 87 tries in 112 rugby league games before moving across from the NRL premiers, played most of the second half.

He showed some good footwork on the occasions he handled the ball and had a couple of half chances near the Tahs’ line late in the third quarter.

On the first occasion, the Fijian speedster spun out of a couple of attempted tackles and shortly after almost reeled in a high cross-field kick.

He was stopped just short of the line in the fourth quarter, and got an intercept In the fourth, but the ball was knocked on soon after.

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Vunivalu was eclipsed in the Reds’ scoring stakes by two other Fijian-born players. No.8 Seru Uru crossed twice, with Wallabies winger Felipo Daugunu also notching a try.

NSW scored seven tries to five, with Wallabies half Gordon a standout.

His side trailed 7-5 at quarter time but Gordon set up their 19-14 halftime advantage, with a move straight out of an NFL playbook, flying over several forwards at a maul for his first try.

In the third quarter, he took a quick tap penalty, kicking and regathering for a second try and the Tahs surged to a 31-19 lead.

Queensland rallied to hit the front in the fourth before Walton’s double settled the issue. The two old rivals clash again in the opening round of the Super Rugby AU competition on February 19 at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

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M
MA 2 hours ago
How the four-team format will help the Wallabies defeat the Lions

In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..

If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.


My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.


ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.


Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.


Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.


It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.


So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.


After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.


Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.


Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.

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