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Uncapped Wallabies cross-code star Suliasi Vunivalu confirms playing future

(Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

After much speculation about whether he will stay in rugby union or return to rugby league, uncapped Wallabies star Suliasi Vunivalu has confirmed his playing future.

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Rugby Australia [RA] announced on Tuesday that Vunivalu has inked a one-season contract extension with the national union at the Queensland Rugby Union in a deal that will keep him in rugby union until after next year’s World Cup.

In doing so, the 26-year-old has rejected a possible return to rugby league, where numerous NRL clubs – including the new Redcliffe Dolphins side – were reportedly circling for his signature.

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Instead, the two-time NRL Premiership winner, who scored 86 tries in 111 matches for the Melbourne Storm between 2016 and 2020, will remain with RA and the Reds next season as he eyes a place at the 2023 World Cup in France.

“I’m really excited to re-sign with Queensland and Australian rugby,” Vunivalu said in a statement.

“I’m enjoying my time at Ballymore with the Reds. I’ve made a lot of good friends here and I have enjoyed learning from someone who also has experience in both codes in Brad Thorn.

“I still have a lot to learn, but Queensland is the best place for me to reach the next level.

“Playing in a World Cup for Australia was a big reason I made the move to rugby last year and I’ll be doing my best to hopefully achieve that goal.

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“I’m looking forward to learning more over the next few months in Wallabies camp and taking that back to the Reds in 2023.”

Vunivalu has endured a disrupted experience in rugby union since switching codes a year-and-a-half ago, with hamstring injuries and off-field legal issues restricting his on-field performances.

As such, an expected Wallabies debut is yet to come to fruition, but that should change over the coming weeks after an injury-free Vunivalu produced a string of compelling Super Rugby Pacific performances to earn selection in the current Wallabies squad.

One of six wing options in Dave Rennie’s squad ahead of July’s three-test series against England, Vunivalu could make his rugby union test debut as early as next week, when the Wallabies host the English in Perth on July 2.

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In doing so, he would become a dual international after having scored 12 tries in eight tests for Fiji during his time in rugby league.

Rennie spoke highly of Vunivalu on Tuesday, labelling his re-signing with RA and the Reds as “a massive positive” for all parties.

“Having Suli re-sign is a massive positive for all supporters of Australian rugby,” Rennie said via a statement.

“He’s an incredible athlete with huge potential and having him in the Wallabies squad is only going to accelerate his development.

“His ability in the air is phenomenal and we’ve been impressed with his work ethic and desire to improve all areas of his game.”

Reds general manager Sam Cordingley, meanwhile, was excited to have Vunivalu return to the Reds following their quarter-final finish in Super Rugby Pacific this season.

“Suli is a very popular member of the Reds squad and it was pleasing to see his form being rewarded with Wallaby squad selection,” he said.

“It is great news for the Reds and Wallabies that he has extended through 2023.”

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J
JW 1 hour ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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