Suliasi Vunivalu, the Fiji-born winger for the Wallabies and former rugby league star, has officially signed with French Top 14 club La Rochelle. The 28-year-old athlete made a significant transition from rugby league powerhouse Melbourne Storm to the Queensland Reds in 2021, soon earning a call-up to the Australian national team.
Vunivalu was part of Eddie Jones’ squad for the 2023 World Cup, where he appeared seven times as a substitute. However, under the direction of new Australian coach Joe Schmidt, he has not been selected for recent matches.
In a statement, Vunivalu expressed his appreciation for his time in rugby union, 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.”
Vunivalu will reunite with his World Cup teammate Will Skelton at La Rochelle, a club that recently celebrated back-to-back titles in the European Rugby Champions Cup in 2022 and 2023. Having enjoyed notable success in the NRL with two premierships and scoring 18 tries in 40 appearances with the Reds, Vunivalu’s move to La Rochelle marks a new chapter in his sporting career. He faces tough competition, particularly from the emerging talent of teenage winger Tim Ryan, but with a roster that includes fellow Fijians such as Levani Botia and Tomasi Seru, he will have support in his new environment.
This move highlights Vunivalu’s desire to further his career and embrace new challenges on an international stage, embodying the spirit of adventure and resilience that characterizes many athletes’ journeys.
Overall, Vunivalu’s decision to join La Rochelle opens up exciting possibilities, not only for himself but also for the club as they look to maintain their success in European rugby.
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