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Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Mon Oct 26, 2020 9:32 pm
by Carter's Choice
The Storm's Suliasi Vunivalu.
He's played Rugby all his life apart from his stint at the Storm so he could be a good recruit, although his asking price would be close to a million dollars a year. I'm suspicious that this is just a tried and true tactic to increase the size of his NRL contract.
Melbourne Storm's grand final hero Suliasi Vunivalu wants Wallabies jersey in 2021
19:27, Oct 26 2020
Suliasi Vunivalu was so focused on Melbourne's NRL grand final that he had forgotten when he was due to check in at the Queensland Reds.
The dual premiership winner found out from his manager on Monday that he's required around Christmas after committing to the Reds and Rugby Australia on a two-year deal.
"I'm not sure. I've wanted to focus on this first," Vunivalu told AAP after bagging a breathtaking 80-metre intercept try that took the wind out of Penrith's sails in the Storm's 26-20 triumph.
After the entire Storm squad sang a Fijian hymn in the middle of ANZ Stadium as a touching farewell, Vunivalu admits it'll be a wrench leaving the NRL superpower.
But his heart lies in the 15-man code following a hugely successful five-season stint at the Storm.
"Yeah, it's going to be hard to walk away. This is a very special group we have here," he said.
"But I'm a rugby boy. I only started playing league when I came to the Storm."
Wallabies and Reds five-eighth James O'Connor has no doubt Vunivalu – a 2017 rugby league world player of the year nominee – is ready to make his mark in rugby.
"He's a freak athlete.You saw that," O'Connor said on Monday.
"He's a tall man, can move well and he seems like he's got a good knowledge of the game."
The Suva-born star himself is making no secret of the fact he's hoping to become the latest dual international, be it on the wing or in the centres for the Wallabies.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't," he said.
"It would be a dream to wear the green and gold Wallabies jersey."
AAP
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:05 am
by Mr Bungle
Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 9:32 pm
The Storm's Suliasi Vunivalu.
He's played Rugby all his life apart from his stint at the Storm so he could be a good recruit, although his asking price would be close to a million dollars a year. I'm suspicious that this is just a tried and true tactic to increase the size of his NRL contract.
He's signed for the Reds for two years.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:26 am
by MungoMan
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:05 am
Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 9:32 pm
The Storm's Suliasi Vunivalu.
He's played Rugby all his life apart from his stint at the Storm so he could be a good recruit, although his asking price would be close to a million dollars a year. I'm suspicious that this is just a tried and true tactic to increase the size of his NRL contract.
He's signed for the Reds for two years.
Yeah, the Reds announced this, IIRC, before the plague hit these shores.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:02 am
by mrbrownstone
Yeah this was confirmed last year right? Unless he decides to backflip now.
The Courier-Mail reports Rugby Australia sees Vunivalu as a replacement for sacked code-hopper Israel Folau.
The report outlines how Vunivalu will earn a staggering $1.8 million over the two-year deal at $900,000 per season.
https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/walla ... bb8a8e42a6
Seems a ridiculous price tag for a winger, but he's definitely a talent and I'd be surprised if he doesn't walk into the Wallabies to join Koroibete, the guy he replaced at the Storm.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:20 am
by Not_Couch
Australia are blessed with fast fijian born wingers, they are mimicking in the ABs formula of yesteryear.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 3:46 am
by stemoc
didn't he sign like earlier this year? this is why i think the Reds which is very much the new "Wallabies" will be trialing Daugunu at fullback next year..we may see a fijian back 3 for Australia in 2021..as it stand outside of petty, the ozzies don't really have a decent fullback, Beale is gone, Banks just has a kicking game nothing more, Maddocks is shit and rennie will realise that soon, JP was suppsoe to be the next fullback but after TK was dropped and Paisami showed he was shit, JP may very well be their next 13....so this leaves Daugunu who has played fullback before, is good under the high ball, has a kicking game (can kick goals too) ...rennie jsut needs to work on his one-on-one defence and he is gold...Vunivalu can also cover 13 so it would eb fun to see where Thorne uses him for teh Reds.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:20 am
by Mr Bungle
MungoMan wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:26 am
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:05 am
Carter's Choice wrote: Mon Oct 26, 2020 9:32 pm
The Storm's Suliasi Vunivalu.
He's played Rugby all his life apart from his stint at the Storm so he could be a good recruit, although his asking price would be close to a million dollars a year. I'm suspicious that this is just a tried and true tactic to increase the size of his NRL contract.
He's signed for the Reds for two years.
Yeah, the Reds announced this, IIRC, before the plague hit these shores.
It’s in the very article AC quoted.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 7:42 am
by MungoMan
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 6:20 am
MungoMan wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:26 am
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 2:05 am
He's signed for the Reds for two years.
Yeah, the Reds announced this, IIRC, before the plague hit these shores.
It’s in the very article AC quoted.
The two year term was, yes. I was merely adding that the signing wasn't recent news. Note the date:
https://reds.rugby/news/2019/12/03/st-g ... -2021-2022
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:50 am
by Mr Bungle
Understand. We are on the same page. I think Ali skim read his article.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:00 am
by Carter's Choice
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:50 am
Understand. We are on the same page. I think Ali skim read his article.
Yas
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:49 am
by stemoc
Carter's Choice wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:00 am
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:50 am
Understand. We are on the same page. I think Ali skim read his article.
Yas
he should also drink skim milk too.. that fat bastard.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:02 am
by Carter's Choice
stemoc wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:49 am
Carter's Choice wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:00 am
Mr Bungle wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 8:50 am
Understand. We are on the same page. I think Ali skim read his article.
Yas
he should also drink skim milk too.. that fast bastard.
Seems a bit unnecessary. Take your shit talking back over to PR.
Re: Rugby Australia set to recruit another NRL winger
Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:10 am
by stemoc
Carter's Choice wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 10:02 am
stemoc wrote: Tue Oct 27, 2020 9:49 am
he should also drink skim milk too.. that fat bastard.
Seems a bit unnecessary. Take your shit talking back over to PR.
all the cool kids are banned there ;) and seeing how that shit site turned out, i'm glad..