Fijian closing in on Wallabies selection

RUGBY UNION: Fijian speedster Filipo Daugunu has celebrated the arrival of his eligibility for the Wallabies by signing a four-year contract extension with the Queensland Reds and Rugby Australia.

The winger, 24, qualified for national selection through residency last week, three years after the former Fijian youth soccer goalkeeper moved to Queensland to chase his Super Rugby dream.

He is now regarded one of the most exciting prospects in Australian rugby after bursting on to the local rugby scene with Wests and Queensland Country in 2017.

RA rugby director Scott Johnson ensured the 21-game wing weapon would stick around until the 2023 Rugby World Cup with a Wallabies contract top-up.

The lucrative new contract is a far cry from the meagre development deal Daugunu

signed after first arriving at a Ballymore training session in a singlet and thongs two years ago.

“It’s great to see Filipo stay in Queensland for another four years,” coach Brad Thorn said. “He’s an amazing athlete, he’s powerful and has great agility.

“Filipo’s attacking ability has come a long way, but his biggest improvement has been his work in defence.”

Daugunu’s prowess was never in doubt after he completed his first season in Queensland as the Queensland Premier Rugby and National Rugby Championship competitions’ leading try-scorer.

He crossed for six tries in his debut season of Super Rugby in 2018, but a broken arm midway through the 2019 season cost him the chance to further press his claim for a starting jersey.

Nic Darveniza