Northern Edition

Select Edition

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

'Very, very interested': Melbourne Storm eager for Reds recruit Suliasi Vunivalu to stay in NRL

(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Melbourne will happily re-sign star NRL winger Suliasi Vunivalu should his switch to rugby union fall through.

ADVERTISEMENT

Vunivalu is set to depart the Storm at the end of the NRL season after inking a massive deal with Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia late last year.

But since then the financially-stricken RA has been looking to slash costs with Australia’s professional players taking an average 60 per cent salary cut until the end of September.

Video Spacer

The Rugby Pod | Season 4 | Episode 42

Video Spacer

The Rugby Pod | Season 4 | Episode 42

Vunivalu told AAP he was still keen to play rugby if his two-year contract was guaranteed, and would prefer to stay with the Storm if he remained in the NRL.

The 24-year-old said his family was settled in Melbourne and he loved the club, where he made his debut in 2016.

That was welcome news for coach Craig Bellamy, who said he spoke to Vunivalu on Friday morning about staying on.

The Storm are already set to lose their other representative winger Josh Addo-Carr, who wants to move home to Sydney to be closer to family.

ADVERTISEMENT

“I had a chat with him this morning, exactly about that,” Bellamy said.

“We’d certainly be very, very interested if Suli wanted to stay.

“At this stage I don’t think rugby union is too sure of the position that they’re in and what they can and can’t do so it’s going to take a bit of time.

“But if they can’t guarantee they can honour Suli’s contract we’d certainly be interested in looking at him staying here.”

Vunivalu will line up for the Storm against Newcastle on Saturday afternoon, and has an impressive strike-rate against the Knights, scoring eight tries in their past six games.

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

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

R
RedWarrior 42 minutes ago
Records show All Blacks' greatest rugby adversary is now Ireland

Foster was literally whinging about the TMO in the Ireland series in the presser AFTER the RWC final. NZs whinging about the final itself was apparently picked up by Voyager 2 which was near the asteroid belt. What about the whingefest and crybabies after O'Mahony's legendary sledge (during the match) on Sam Cane?


I often hear talk about NZ players being poisoned or similar nonsense during the 1995 final. NZ boast that they are 'superstars' and 'humble heroes' on their own website. You gave England the same treatment in 2002-2003, calling them arrogant just because they beat you. They told the rest of us then what you were like, we should have listened. I would give as much credence to a NZ supporter disliking us, as I would to Krusty the clown saying the same thing. Let's just say your judgement may not be the best.


Regarding 2016, as the referee had basically let NZ away with cheating their way to victory via filthy dangerous play and fouling he was hardly going to pull Sexton up when clearly trying to stop a grounding. NZ always leave the boot or arm in to hurt a try scorer but that seems to be invisible to you entitles lot.


BTW NZ have literally being whinging and crying about Ireland since Soldier field. You are just very bad losers. We will be delighted to be shot of you on Friday. I hope we do so with a win, so that you rethink your philosophy of mocking opponents and spectators you've just beaten.


After the match last Saturday the internet was full of Kiwi supporters basically abusing English folk. Where is your national honour? Where is your national integrity?

8 Go to comments
LONG READ
LONG READ The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim The joy, spirit and obstacles of the rugby pilgrim
Search