All Eyes On Vunivalu: Thorn
Nine Fijian players are featuring in this weekend’s Super Rugby AU.
Top of the list is former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu who is poised to make his debut for Queensland off the bench in tonight’s clash with the Melbourne Rebels at Suncorp Stadium.
The prized recruit was forced to sit out last weekend’s season-opening win over the NSW Waratahs after being stood down for one match and fined for allegedly striking a security guard in the face late last month.
While the ex-Melbourne Storm winger will still have to go court in April, Reds coach Brad Thorn had no issues bringing the 25-year-old straight in to his team to face the Rebels.
“Good to have him involved this week and obviously we were hoping it was last week,” Thorn said. “I guess that’s all fish and chip paper now. He’s been preparing for Friday and I think a lot of people will be excited to see what he brings.”
Vunivalu has been named on the bench along with another potential debutant in Sam Wallis, with Thorn making just one change to the starting lineup that belted the Waratahs 41-7 last Friday.
Thorn insists introducing Vunivalu off the bench was always his plan but added the performance of his backline against the Waratahs didn’t justify change for change’s sake.
“It’s definitely how I like to do it if someone’s coming in from an injury or new to the team. It just takes the pressure off,” he said.
“You’ve also got to remember you’ve got Jordan Petaia and Filipo Daugunu, you’ve got Hamish Stewart and Hunter Paisami there. You’ve got Jock Campbell at the back. It’s not just a list that someone can walk into is it?”
In the one change to the runon team, Taniela Tupou starts at tighthead prop with Feao Fotuaika to take on the job as finisher from the bench.
Other Fijian players in the Reds are Seru Uru who is at lock along with Daugunu while Vunivalu is on the bench with Moses Sorovi. Rookie winger Ilaisa Droasese is not in the Match 23 squad.
For Rebels, they have Marika Koroibete on the wing while Flying Fijians halfback Frank Lomani is on the bench.
In tomorrow’s clash, Brumbies are going to start with Rob Valetini at blindside flanker while Issak Fines-Leleiwasa is on the bench. Waratahs after last week’s drubbing has brought in Mark Nawaqanitawase in their bid to spark their campaign.
Line-ups REDS:
1. Dane Zander, 2. Alex Mafi, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Angus Blyth, 5. Seru Uru, 6. Angus ScottYoung,
7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson, 9. Tate McDermott, 10.James O’Connor (c), 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Jordan Petaia, 15. Jock Campbell; Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Harry Hoopert, 18. Feao Fotuaika, 19. Ryan Smith, 20. Sam Wallis, 21. Moses Sorovi, 22. Bryce Hegarty, 23.Suliasi Vunivalu
REBELS: 1. Cabous Eloff, 2. Jordan Uelese, 3. Pone Faamausili, 4. Steve Cummins, 5. Trevor Hosea, 6. Brad Wilkin, 7. Richard Hardwick, 8. Michael Wells, 9. Joe Powell, 10. Matt To’omua (c), 11. Marika Koroibete,
12. Reece Hodge, 13. Stacey Ili, 14. Lachlan Anderson, 15. Tom Pincus; Reserves: 16. Ed Craig, 17. Isaac Aedo Kailea, 18. Rhys van Nek,
19. Rob Leota, 20. Josh Kemeny, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Glen Vaihu, 23. Frank Lomani
BRUMBIES: 1. James Slipper, 2. Connal McInerney, 3. Allan Alaalatoa
(c), 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Cadeyrn Neville, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Jahrome Brown, 8. Pete Samu, 9. Nic White,
10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Mack Hansen,
12. Irae Simone, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andy Muirhead, 15. Tom Banks; Reserves: 16. Lachlan Lonergan,
17. Harry Lloyd, 18. Tom Ross, 19. Nick Frost, 20. Tom Cusack, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. Reesjan Pasitoa, 23. Issak Fines-Leleiwasa
WARATAHS: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Tom Horton, 3. Harry Johnson-Holmes,
4. Sam Caird, 5. Jack Whetton, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Carlo Tizzano,
8. Jack Dempsey, 9. Jack Grant, 10. Will Harrison, 11. James Ramm, 12. Tepai Moeroa, 13. Alex Newsome (c), 14. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15. Jack Maddocks; Reserves: 16. David Porecki, 17. Tetera Faulkner,
18. Sio Tatola, 19. Jeremy Williams,
20. Hugh Sinclair, 21. Henry Robertson, 22. Tane Edmed, 23. Triston Reilly
- Rugby Heaven
World Boxing Foundation (WBF) Australasian welterweight champion Ronald Naidu has opened his new boxing club in Nadi.
He told SUNsports yesterday that he has partnered with his friend Francis Shane as they operate the Denarau Boxing Club.
“It was a dream comes true to open a new boxing club with the help of Francis, who is the gym trainer,” Naidu said.
Naidu said it’s time for him to stand on his own feet and prepare for his March 20 title fight against upcoming star Nathan ‘The Hornet’ Singh.
“We’re not taking this fight lightly because a title is at stake. I’m hungry for my next belt,” he said. “I would like to thank my friend Francis for his kind continuous support.
“We’re working together as we’ve got some great ideas for the future.” Naidu thanked their sponsor Denarau Pacific Fitness.
“I’ve never trained in this kind of a gym in my life.
“I’m glad that I got a chance to showcase my talent to another level. “A quick message to my opponent let’s not talk big on social media, but let’s see who is the best man inside the ring. Come prepared.
“To all fans please do come in numbers and witness for yourself on what’s going to happen inside the ring and with me coming out the winner.”
Naidu’s former trainer Chunchal Babba Kumar of the Mulomulo Boxing Club said they have wished him well for the fight.
“Naidu had been with us for the past 10 years and we have seen some great days in his career.
“No doubt he has more great days in front of him. We wish him all the best,” Kumar said.