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Filipo Daugunu has capped off a dream year, earning a Super Rugby contract with the Queensland Reds. The 22-year-old formerly represented Fiji in youth international football as a goalkeeper, but gave it up in 2015 to pursue a career in rugby.
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He landed a spot on Fiji 7’s squad after time in the Fijian u20’s, however wasn’t able to get any playing time. He then moved to Australia at the start of this year and ended up at Wests Rugby Club for the season. After playing off the bench, his talent began to show with extravagant footwork, freakish long range tries and natural finishing which quickly led to a starting position.
Daugunu was given a shot in the National Rugby Championship with Queensland Country, and has been exceptional in their rise to second on the table. He’s so far scored 10 tries in four appearances – forcing the Reds to take notice and make him an offer before someone else does.
Daugunu’s international eligibility remains open having never donned the Fiji jersey at the highest level, opening the door to representing the Wallabies at some stage in the future.
Rugby can’t be completely accused of taking football’s talent though – as we showed earlier this week there are some players who are making their mark on the roundball code too:
