Former Fiji-born rugby league star and Wallabies winger, Suliasi Vunivalu, has officially joined the French Top 14 club La Rochelle. The 28-year-old made the switch from the Queensland Reds, where he transitioned from the Melbourne Storm in rugby league in 2021, immediately earning a spot on the Wallabies team.
Vunivalu was part of the Australian squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, contributing as a substitute in seven Test matches. However, he has not been called up by the new Australian coach, Joe Schmidt, since his appointment earlier this year.
In a recent statement, Vunivalu expressed his enthusiasm for the opportunity to further his rugby career in France, stating, “I’ve really enjoyed coming over to rugby from rugby league. I’ve learnt so much and want to take it further in France. This is a good opportunity because traveling with rugby has been one of my goals from the start. It’s the right time.”
At La Rochelle, Vunivalu will reunite with his World Cup teammate Will Skelton. The club has recently achieved remarkable success, winning back-to-back European Rugby Champions Cups in 2022 and 2023. Vunivalu’s impressive record includes 18 tries in 40 matches with the Queensland Reds, along with two National Rugby League premiership titles from his time at Melbourne Storm.
While he faced stiff competition for a starting position at the Reds, notably from emerging talent Tim Ryan, Vunivalu will look to make his mark in France alongside other Fijian players at the club, including Levani Botia, Simeli Daunivucu, Tomasi Seru, and Peni Vuetimaiwai.
This transition presents a significant opportunity for Vunivalu as he embarks on a new chapter in his rugby career, potentially bringing his exceptional skills to a wider audience in Europe.
Summary: Suliasi Vunivalu, the Fijian Wallabies winger, has signed with French club La Rochelle after a successful stint in Australian rugby. Excited about his new journey, Vunivalu aims to expand his skills in rugby while joining a team with a rich history in European competition.
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