Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Reds axe Suliasi Vunivalu for Super Rugby AU season-opener after pub altercation

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

High-profile Queensland Reds recruit Suliasi Vunivalu has been dropped just days out from his would-be Super Rugby AU debut for allegedly pushing a security guard in a Brisbane pub.

ADVERTISEMENT

The champion NRL winger had arrived at Ballymore fresh off a premiership with the Melbourne Storm as Rugby Australia’s big-ticket item.

But on Tuesday the “embarrassed” 25-year-old fronted cameras to apologise after copping a club-imposed $10,000 fine alongside suspension from Friday’s season opener at Suncorp Stadium against the NSW Waratahs.

Video Spacer

Wayne Pivac on Louis Rees-Zammit and England rugby | Six Nations 2021

Video Spacer

Wayne Pivac on Louis Rees-Zammit and England rugby | Six Nations 2021

It’s understood the security guard was not injured during the altercation, which has been described as a minor incident.

But Vunivalu has been charged and is due to appear in court on April 19.

“I’m embarrassed to be in this position and I apologise to the QRU (Queensland Rugby Union) and my teammates for that,” he said in a prepared statement.

“I apologise to the fans and rugby community, especially in Queensland.

“I understand the position the QRU have taken; they expect a high standard form players and I do as well.

“I’m proud to be part of the Reds and Rugby Australia and looking forward to the matter being resolved.”

ADVERTISEMENT

The incident occurred on January 30 but the club were only alerted to it “late last week”.

“I am disappointed and expressed that to Suli,” QRU boss Dave Hanham said when queried about the delay in the club receiving information about the incident.

“The earlier we know these things the better … Suli’s aware of that and that’s factored into our decision-making.

“We’ve been able to agree to a set of sanctions that are appropriate in the immediate and once the matter’s heard in full then we can reassess.

ADVERTISEMENT

“It’s round one with a new broadcast deal, new competition … that’s sitting on Suli’s shoulders pretty heavily.”

Vunivalu was implicated in an NRL integrity unity investigation in 2019 when he was allegedly a victim of a coward punch at a Bali nightspot that sparked a brawl that included former Storm teammate Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

The 25-year-old had already spent time in camp with the Wallabies and is considered an immense talent likely to feature in national coach Dave Rennie’s plans ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

At this stage, Vunivalu will be free to debut against the Melbourne Rebels in round two while Rugby Australia’s performance boss Scott Johnson said it wouldn’t ruin his Wallabies aspirations.

“It does (send a message) and it supports the culture Queensland’s trying to have here,” Johnson said of the Reds’ decision to penalise Vunivalu ahead of his date in court.

“(Coach) Brad’s (Thorn) put his foot down over numerous years; these young men are role models in our community … whilst this may be a minor incident in our sport we have high standards and want our players to adhere to that.”

ADVERTISEMENT

O2 Inside Line: All In | Episode 5 | Making Waves

Confidence knocks and finding your people | Flo Williams | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Tackling reasons for drop-out in sport | Zainab Alema | Rugby Rising Locker Room

Krakow | Leg 3 | Day 2 | HSBC Challenger Series | Full Day Replay

Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Jet Lag: The biggest challenge facing international sports? | The Report

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry? | New Zealand & Australia | Sevens Wonders | Episode 5

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

E
Eliza Galloway 51 minutes ago
Geoff Parling: An Englishman roasting the Lions?

Email: prowizardgilbertrecovery(@)  engineer.comWhatsApp: +1 (920) 408‑1234Telegram: https://t.me/Pro_Wizard_Gilbert_RecoveryI never imagined I’d become a victim of a scam—especially in the fast-moving world of cryptocurrency. When I was offered a chance to appear on a popular crypto podcast, I was excited. It seemed like a golden opportunity to gain exposure, connect with industry professionals, and build credibility within the crypto community. The podcast appeared legitimate, complete with a sleek website, professional branding, glowing testimonials, and an active social media presence.After a few exchanges with the supposed host, I was asked to pay $9,500 to secure my spot on the show. Trusting the apparent professionalism of the platform, I went ahead with the payment. I envisioned the new doors this would open—partnerships, recognition, and new opportunities. But everything changed once the payment was made.Suddenly, all communication stopped. My emails and messages went unanswered. The podcast’s website vanished, and so did their social media presence. That’s when reality hit—I had been scammed.I was devastated. Angry, embarrassed, and desperate to find a solution, I began searching for help. That’s when I discovered PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY. At first, I was skeptical, but with nothing left to lose, I decided to reach out.To my surprise, their team responded quickly and took my case seriously. Using advanced investigative tools and digital tracking techniques, they began tracing the scammer’s digital footprint. I watched as they worked tirelessly, putting the pieces together.Amazingly, PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY was able to recover 95% of my lost funds. The relief I felt was indescribable. Not only did I get back most of what I lost, but I also walked away with a hard-earned lesson about the importance of due diligence and caution in the digital world.While I wish I had never fallen into the trap, I’m incredibly thankful for the support and professionalism of PRO WIZARD GILBERT RECOVERY. They didn’t just recover my money—they helped restore my peace of mind. I’m sharing my story in hopes that it helps others avoid the same mistake and encourages them to stay vigilant in the ever-evolving world of cryptocurrency.

44 Go to comments
J
JW 1 hour ago
James O'Connor, the Lions and the great club v country conundrum

Lol you need to shoot your editor for that headline, even I near skipped the article.


France simply need to go to a league format for the Brennus, that will shave two weekends of pointless knockout rugby from their season and raise the competitions standards and mystique no end.


The under age loophole is also a easy door to shut, just remove the lower age limit. WR simply never envisioned a day were teams would target people under the age of 17 or whatever it is now, but much like with Rassie and his use of subs bench, that day was obviously always going to come. I can’t remember how football does it, I think it’s the other way around with them, you can’t sign anyone younger than that but unions can’t stop 17 or 18 yo’s from leaving for a pro club if they want to. There is a transaction that takes place of a few hundred thousand for a normal average player. I’d prefer rugby to be stricter and just keep the union bodies signoff being required.


What really was their problem with Kite and co leaving though? Do we really need a game dominated by Internationals? I even think WR’s proposed calendar might be a bit too much, with at minimum 12 top tier games being played in the World Championship. I think 10 to 12, maybe any one player playing 10 of those 12 is the best way to think of it, for every international team is max, so that they can allow their domestic comps to shine if they want, and other nations like Japan and Fiji can, even some of the home nations maybe, and fill out their calendar with extra tours if they like them as a way to make money. As it is RA don’t have as good a pathway system, so they could simply buy back those players if they turn good. Are they worried they’ll be less likely to? We wait for baited breath for the new season to be laid out in front of us by WR.

It could impose sanctions on the Fédération Française de Rugby, but the body which runs the Top 14 and the ProD2, the Ligue Nationale de Rugby, is entirely independent.

It’s not independent at all. The LNR is a body under, and commissioned by, the FFR (and Government control) to mediate the clubs. FFR can simply install a new club competition if they don’t listen, then you’d see whether the players want to stay at any club who doesn’t tow the line and move to the new competition, as they obviously wouldn’t fall under the auspice of world rugby. They would be rebels, which is fine in and upon itself, but they would isolate themselves from the rest of the game and would need to be OK with that. I have no doubt whatsoever that clubs would have to and want to fall in line to remain part of the EPCR and French rugby. Probably even the last thing they would want is to compete with another French domestic competition that has all the advantages they don’t.


All those players would do good for a few seasons in France, especially the fringe ones, with thankfully zero risk of them being poached if they turn good. New Zealand had a turn at keeping all of it’s talent, and while it upticked the competitiveness of the Super Rugby teams into a total dominance of Australian and South African counterparts (who were suffering more heavily than most the other way at that stage), it didn’t have as positive an effect on the next step up as ensuring young talents development is not hindered does. Essentially NZR flooded the locate market with players but inevitably it didn’t think the local economy could sustain any more pro teams itself, so now we are seeing a normal amount of exodus for the availability of places again. Are Australia in exactly the same footing? I think so, finances where dicey for a while perhaps but I doubt they are putting money constraints on their contracting now. It’s purely about who leaves to open up opportunity.

62 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock How 'misunderstood' Rassie Erasmus is rolling back the clock
Search