After losing Dane Gagai in the off-season, the South Sydney Rabbitohs reportedly attempted to fill that gaping hole he left with Suliasi Vunivalu.
The former Melbourne Storm storm left the NRL at the end of 2020 to join the Queensland Reds in rugby union, crossing for a handful of tries during his first season in the 15-man game.
Gagai, who has joined the Newcastle Knights fo the new season, was a standout during his first hit out for his new club on Saturday afternoon in a shock victory over the Sydney Roosters.
The Rabbitohs, meanwhile, fell apart against the Broncos, scoring just a single try in an 11 points to 4 loss.
While the lack of impact and x-factor from South Sydneys’ backline wasn’t their only reason for defeat against the Brisbane Broncos. It was certainly one of them.
Phil Rothfield revealed on Fox Sports’ NRL360, some insight into how Souths attempted to boost their backline.
“The right wing is a problem, they are okay on the left with Alex Johnston but what I can tell you is during the off-season Vunivalu who won the premierships at Melbourne Storm, then went to Rugby Union, playing for the Queensland Reds," Rothfield said.
“Behind the scenes they tried desperately hard to get him into a Souths jersey, they couldn’t come up with the money at the end of the day.
Though the right wing position isn’t the Rabbitohs’ only issue according to Buzz.
“On the left centre I think that’s a problem too, with Jaxson Paulo.”
While there is no doubt Vunivalu would be a welcome inclusion on the wing for any team in the competition, the Rabbitohs were anything but full strength in round one.
With Latrell Mitchell out due to suspension, Blake Taaffe was then ruled out late, forcing Josh Mansour into the side with Alex Johnston moving to the number one.
