Melbourne Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu is set to swap league for union in 2021, after reportedly signing a deal with the Queensland Reds.
Vunivalu will play out the 2020 campaign in Storm colours, before making the switch to rugby union on a two-year deal.
The 24-year-old makes the move in the hope of breaking into the Wallabies' side in the future.
The Courier-Mail understands Vunivalu has committed to play for the Storm in 2020, where he has 72 tries from 94 games under Craig Bellamy.
It's a big signing for the Reds, with coach Brad Thorn confirming the move on Tuesday.
“As a group we look forward to welcoming Suliasi Vunivalu back to rugby and to Queensland as a great addition in 2021,” Thorn said.
“Suliasi grew up playing rugby in NZ before becoming one of the NRL’s most exciting players with an awesome ability to find the try-line.
“He brings good experience too with almost 100 NRL games for Melbourne and 12 rugby league Tests for Fiji.”
Well well well, we have a genuine vacancy for Latrell in 2021, Melbourne on the flank.
Let him go now if he’s going to Union I reckon.
Does anyone know if the Dragons are interested in Xerri or Walker?
The Dragons need to make some tough decisions and say goodbye to Lafai, Aitken, Dufty and De Belin and chase these guys.
I could go with
1. Sailor
2. Saab
3. Lomax
4. Xerri
5. Pearson/Ravalawa
6. Norman
7. Hunt
Cheers
Cmonthedragons i know Parra are in talks with Xerri to replace Jennings.
As for Suli, his departure along with the Fox and Smith’s retirement should see the Storm down the foot of the ladder in 2021.
Although Suli is a big loss, the fact of the matter is that the Right flank of Storm has not been effective for 2-seasons. Not only the Right flank had not scored too many tries, it also was terrible defensively and let in too many tries. Right flank definitely needed to be revamped so this is a good opportunity.
By sticking to his remaining contract, Suli has shown that he is a professional unlike Addo-Carr and Mitchell.
Xerri is going nowhere, according to the man himself
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2897520646947643&substory_index=0&id=951889898177404
The wallabies have no salary cap .. if Dave Rennie scouts them.. they’re gone. Who will be next ? Ponga?
15 IsraelFolau
14 MarikaKoroibete
13 CurtisRona
12 Karmichael Hunt
11 Suliasi Vunivalu
10 Kalyn Ponga
@kev I highly doubt that 2 wingers will completely change the storm form as a collective. let’s not forget that JAC was a reserve tigers player and Vunivalu was a complete no name before his debut. The storm will do what they always do replace a superstar with a player no one else wanted and it will be business as usual.
As for Smith yes he will be a massive loss but as I said above they already have the future sorted. Smith has already moved to halfback to let Harry Grant takeover and if you haven’t seen him play he is a complete Smith clone and is almost a certain origin prospect.
They will do the same with Finucane and Brandon Smith, Bromwich and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui and Curtis Scott and Marion Seve
@cmonthedragons…..I have it on good authority that Saints have signed 27 year old ex Sea Eagles utility back Brayden Williame from Catalans Dragons in the ESL. I don’t remember much about him except he was an OK player, and hopefully he has improved after a few seasons overseas.
Williame was a dud when at manly. Good luck with him.
$1.8m for two years….lol no wonder he is leaving.
Can think of a few wingers I’d rather have
So only for the money. Joins the worst Australian super 12 team and will play for the worst world rugby team. Australian RU is currently a total joke. Small vision form Vuni!
@ budgie
So dragons still chase neville nobodies. We nee an elite back or two preferably a gun centre. Is there any chance Nene McDonald will be back, would be a great wing combo with Saab. Really missed his running last year.
I agree with your opinion about Nene McDonald Daffy, and in hindsight he should have stayed with the Dragons. The other thing is the matter of which gun centres are available for 2020. I don’t know of any, but things could change with Bronson Xerri. He’d be more in the Dragons price range than Latrell Mitchell should he decide to leave the Roosters.
Someone on facebook was saying Nene is considering coming back to dragons. He had a lot of troubles in NQ after breaking his ankle and I think wants out of the area.
OK so now I am getting worried.
If Ado-Carr goes then we have been dropped right in it. At least Vuni has given us 12 months to sort something.