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Taniela Tupou benched as Suliasi Vunivalu named for long-awaited Reds return
By AAP
Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott has promised to shower Suliasi Vunivalu with high-balls in his Super Rugby Pacific injury comeback in Melbourne.
The flying winger's clash on Friday against the Rebels will mark his first appearance at AAMI Park since leaving the NRL's Storm in 2020.
Touted as a potential Wallabies weapon on the wing, his code switch has been hampered by hamstring injuries that have seen him on ice for the Reds' 6-1 start to the season.
Angus Scott-Young (knee) will also return from a six-week lay-off for the clash, which marks the last Australian-based round before trans-Tasman competition begins in Melbourne's Super Round last week.
Halfback McDermott couldn't hide his excitement for Vunivalu, who will have fellow Fijian-born flyer Filipo Daugunu on the other flank and exciting prospect Jordan Petaia at fullback.
"How good, back in Melbourne too," he said.
"We were absolutely gutted for him, but I spent a bit of time with him in rehab, he's awesome to be around, it's just his aura.
"Myself and JOC (No 10 James O'Connor) are looking forward to putting a couple of kicks up for him and seeing what he can do in the air - it's a really exciting team this weekend."
Vunivalu is off-contract beyond this season and weighing up his future with the lure of the 2023 World Cup front of mind.
McDermott hopes he sticks around.
"[He would have been] incredibly frustrated but he's the kind of guy that doesn't show it," McDermott said of Vunivalu's run of injuries.
"He's been awesome for this team, the boys love having him around."
Coach Brad Thorn will deploy star prop Taniela Tupou from the bench against the Rebels (2-5).
Hooker Richie Asiata, prop Zane Nonggorr and flanker Connor Vest will make their Queensland and Super Rugby starting debuts, with 20-year-old lock Lopeti Faifua potentially making his debut off the bench.
- Murray Wenzel
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Latest Comments
Which people exactly?
Go to commentsWas anything but fine margins, the scoreline was flattering for that game. They were beat in every margin but most emphatically be effort of Argentina. They were slow and likely arrogant in their prep following the England series. You can see the effect on the selection and poor messaging all the playmakers started receiving from the coaching setup there after.
Otherwise though there was also a lot of really good stuff that can too easily be labelled as lucky by people intent on making a point. The team was far from certain and clinical though and the best that can be said of their losses was that they were largely due to some atrocious decisions with cards twice against SA and the neckroll last weekend (you can't take away the 14 point try, that is typical French rugby and to be expected).
This team is good enough to be able to cope with those sorts of difficulties if they could just execute a bit better (but only as well as they have traditionally mind you). Sound selections aside. Some good positivity in this article but we know it's not going to be easy as the ABs have just been trying to return to their DNA after Fosters control but countries like Aussie have a much bigger task in that respect and SA is even trying to change their DNA (again). Those two opponents (along with France obviously) are going to provide some tough competition in seeing who can lead into the 2027 RWC with the best prospects and form behind them.
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