Suli Vunivalu

Suliasi Vunivalu is an electrifying winger, one with the characteristics and physical prowess of a world-class player, whose return to rugby has been haunted by injury.

The Fijian-born flyer became a schoolboy rugby union star in New Zealand after he won a scholarship to complete his secondary education at Auckland’s Saint Kentigern College. Vunivalu was selected in the Blues’ academy / U18s, alongside Taniela Tupou and Irae Simone, before being scouted by the NRL’s Melbourne Storm.

At 18, Vunivalu moved to Melbourne and played for the Storm’s U20s. He made his first-grade debut for Melbourne in 2016 and in that first year broke Israel Folau’s nine-year NRL record of 21 tries for a debutant. Over the course of his five-year NRL first grade career, one that included two premierships (2017 & 2020), Vunivalu scored a mind-blowing 86 tries in 111 appearances.

Late in 2019, with a season still left on his Storm contract, Vunivalu returned to rugby when he signed with Queensland and Rugby Australia. Unfortunately, he suffered back-to-back hamstring injuries in 2021, both of which required surgery. Combined, he missed more than half of the Reds’ Super Rugby matches across his first two seasons. In 2022, after yet another hamstring scare, Vunivalu returned to play seven of Queensland’s last eight matches. He was included in the Wallabies squad for the home series against England and made his debut in the third Test against England at the SCG.

Highlights

2022 Vunivalu won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Reece Hodge in the 77th minute of the 17-21 loss to England in Sydney.