WALLABIES WINGER AND former rugby league star Suliasi Vunivalu has signed for French Top 14 club La Rochelle, saying Friday he felt the time was right to move overseas.
The 28-year-old switched to the Queensland Reds from league powerhouse Melbourne Storm in 2021 and earned an immediate call up to Wallabies.
He was part of Eddie Jones’ World Cup squad in 2023 and was used off the bench, with seven Test appearances to his name.
But he has not been picked since new Australia coach Joe Schmidt took over this year.
“I’ve really enjoyed coming over to rugby from rugby league,” he said in a statement.
“I’ve learnt so much and want to take it further in France.
“This is a good opportunity because travelling with rugby has been one of my goals from the start. It’s the right time.”
Vunivalu will join World Cup teammate Will Skelton at La Rochelle, which won back-to-back European Rugby Champions Cups in 2022 and 2023.
A two-time National Rugby League premiership winner with Melbourne Storm, Vunivalu crossed for 18 tries in his 40 games at the Reds.
But he faced stiff competition for a berth in the side after teenage winger Tim Ryan’s emergence last season.
Why is this a news item?
@chris mcdonnell: Slow day maybe
@chris mcdonnell: better than the daily jizzfest articles being banded about sam prendergast.
@Niall English: what an odd thing to say
@Niall English: Spoken like a man who really enjoys a daily jizzfest….
@Niall English: eh no.
@chris mcdonnell: to SP popularity or the jizzfest?
@chris mcdonnell: bigger question is why you clicked on it if you weren’t interested
Did I miss the Jizzfest?
@Thesaltyurchin: plenty of room if looking for backdoor pass.
Some player, nice buy.
So big “Duhi” aka Merv the swerve’s deal musta fell through. Edinburgh must be happy…
@Stuart: la Rochelle would be even happier, merve wouldn’t like the french game , this boy will do well with the Corsairs now that Teddy la Thomas is playing 13
He’s been such a disappointment, strange signing.