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Reds star Suliasi Vunivalu 'empowered' after Crusaders clash as he eyes Wallabies selection

(Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

An up-close encounter with the world’s best club rugby outfit has only empowered NRL convert Suliasi Vunivalu.

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The Queensland Reds winger was one of the few bright spots in a record 63-28 thumping from the Crusaders on Saturday.

The former Melbourne Storm premiership star narrowly missed his second straight try-scoring double while he also produced a booming clearance kick and jumped into the back of a ruck in a busy finish at Suncorp Stadium.

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It was the 25-year-old’s second appearance and first start since a hamstring injury in late March, while he was also suspended by the club for the season-opener after a run-in with a hotel security guard.

Vunivalu, who described the Crusaders as a “champion side … playing a different game”, had every excuse to feel uncomfortable given he’s already playing a different game.

But, ahead of Saturday’s clash with the Chiefs in Townsville and with a test debut against France in July beckoning, Vunivalu walked away pleased it is starting to come naturally.

“I’ve been really focusing on my kicking lately, so it was good to get one away and also get into the rucks, just doing what I’ve been told to do,” he said.

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“If you feel like if you can get in there you’ve got a free pass to get around the field and go looking for the ball.

“It was really frustrating at the start of the season then once I got the groove back I got injured.

“Now I’m back in I can hopefully stay injury free and that’s [a Wallabies debut] the goal, so I’ll just keep working hard.”

Reds fullback Bryce Hegarty, who played rugby league with Brisbane’s under-20s before his code switch, said Vunivalu’s diligence matched his physical gifts.

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“With Suli it doesn’t surprise me [how quickly he’s adjusted], because he does his homework,” Hegarty said.

“It’s the little things in the game that are the hardest; positioning, all the different rules.

“But if you’re prepared you’re going to do well – and he works hard.”

Hegarty said the Reds had plenty to prove after heavy back-to-back losses against the Highlanders and Crusaders followed their emotional Super Rugby AU defeat of the Brumbies.

“After investing so much into that (an 8-1 Super AU campaign) it’s been a big test and some of it hasn’t been up to scratch,” he said.

“We’re leaving ourselves a bit short.

“The game is faster – everyone can see that – which is really good, but we’ve let them take the lead on that rather than adapt.”

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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