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'That's all fish and chip paper now': Troubled Vunivalu set for belated Super Rugby debut with Reds
By AAP
Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu is poised to make his Super Rugby AU debut for Queensland Reds off the bench in Friday's clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium. The prized recruit was forced to sit out last weekend's season-opening win over the NSW Waratahs after being stood down for one match and fined for allegedly striking a security guard in the face late last month.
While the ex-Melbourne Storm winger will still have to go court in April, Reds coach Brad Thorn had no issues bringing 25-year-old Vunivalu straight into his team to face the Rebels. "Good to have him involved this week and obviously we were hoping it was last week," Thorn said.
"I guess that's all fish and chip paper now. He's been preparing for Friday and I think a lot of people will be excited to see what he brings."
Vunivalu has been named on the Reds bench along with another potential debutant in Sam Wallis, with Thorn making just one change to the starting line up that belted the Waratahs 41-7 last Friday.
Thorn insists introducing Vunivalu off the bench was always his plan but added the performance of his backline against the Waratahs didn't justify change for change's sake.
"It's definitely how I like to do it if someone's coming in from an injury or new to the team. It just takes the pressure off," he said." You have also got to remember you've got Jordan Petaia and Filipo Daugunu, you've got Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami there. You've got Jock Campbell at the back. It's not just a list that someone can walk into is it?"
In the one change to the run-on team, Taniela Tupou starts at tighthead prop with Feao Fotuaika to take on the job as a finisher from the bench.
QUEENSLAND REDS: Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Taniela Tupou, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell. Reserves: Josh Nasser, Harry Hoopert, Feao Fotuaika, Ryan Smith, Sam Wallis, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Sulisai Vunivalu.
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Latest Comments
I was at this match. Jordie Barrett earned his money with a massive hit to slow a connaught attack to win the math when Leinster had 14 in the last few mins. Mack Hansen had a real go at the refereeing after citing a serious head hits on Iaone and Aki.
connaught were up for this. Snyman tried a trademark dirty after, and the onnaught 4 and the onnaught pack absolutely laid into him.
Leinster hose to kick to the corner when only winning by 5 with 10 left and qith only 2 tries scored. onnaught should have punisihed them for that utter stupidity after they broke out and Leinster yellowed to stop the attack.
13 changes from last week. It seems teams are scoring about 10 points less against Leinster this year. With Neinaber in his second year, the new attack coah established, surely they will be a bigger threat in champions up? Or will the attack recgress further.
They must adopt the SA philosophy of take your 3 pointers and the bonus points will come.
connaught back line inluding Iaone, Murphy, Aki, Forde, cordero is the seond best in Ireland surely. Leinster were lucky here
Go to commentsShould have played more for England but he jumped ship just as he was breaking through.
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