Wallabies wing joins Top 14 side
TRANSFER NEWS: Wallabies wing Suliasi Vunivalu has put pen to paper to join Top 14 side La Rochelle, saying that he feels the time is right to move overseas.
The 28-year-old switched to the Reds from rugby league powerhouse Melbourne Storm in 2021 and earned an immediate call-up to the Wallabies.
He formed part of Eddie Jones’ 2023 World Cup squad and was used off the bench, with seven Test caps to his name.
He fell out of favour with new Wallabies boss Joe Schmidt by not being selected since the New Zealander took over from Jones.
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“I’ve really enjoyed coming over to rugby from rugby league,” he said in a statement.
“I’ve learnt so much and want to take it further in France.
“This is a good opportunity because travelling with rugby has been one of my goals from the start. It’s the right time.”
Vunivalu will join World Cup teammate Will Skelton at La Rochelle, which won back-to-back Champions Cups in 2022 and 2023.
A double National Rugby League (NRL) premiership winner with Melbourne Storm, Vunivalu scored 18 tries in 40 appearances for the Reds.
He’s faced stiff competition for a berth in the side after teenage wing Tim Ryan emerged on the scene last season.
In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
