Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

Report: Cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu linked with NRL return

Suliasi Vunivalu. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu has been linked with a move back to the NRL and is reportedly considering quitting rugby union halfway through his two-year deal with the Reds.

ADVERTISEMENT

According to The Daily Telegraph, numerous NRL clubs have shown interest in Vunivalu, the former rugby league wing who won two NRL Premierships with the Melbourne Storm between 2016 and 2020.

During that time, the Fijian-born 26-year-old scored an impressive 86 tries in 111 NRL appearances, but has struggled to make his mark in rugby union since switching codes earlier this year.

Video Spacer

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 14

Video Spacer

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 14

A 1st XV star at Auckland’s St Kentigern College, Vunivalu signed with the Reds for the 2021 and 2022 Super Rugby seasons, and many projected speedster to walk into the Dave Rennie’s Wallabies squad.

That seemed to be the case following the completion of last year’s NRL campaign when Vunivalu joined the Wallabies in a non-playing during their Tri Nations series, but injuries and off-field issues limited his involvement at the Reds earlier this year.

His rugby union got off to a rocky start when he was charged with common assault after allegedly striking a security guard at a Brisbane pub in January.

That charge was eventually dropped in August, but Vunivalu was suspended by the Reds for the side’s Super Rugby AU opener against the Waratahs before picking up a hamstring injury that curtailed any hope of Wallabies selection.

ADVERTISEMENT

In between his suspension and injury, Vunivalu impressed in both Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby Trans-Tasman, making a total of seven appearances and scoring five tries.

However, in his absence from the Wallabies, others – such as test rookie Andrew Kellaway – have starred in Rennie’s squad, leading The Daily Telegraph to suggest that NRL clubs may look to circle Vunivalu for his signature after his fall down Australia’s national pecking order.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

1 Comment
A
Andrew 1049 days ago

Come home and become an AB.

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

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.

1 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline? Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?
Search