🧐 ProPicks AI October update is out now! See which stocks made the listPick Stocks with AI

Rugby-League convert Vunivalu will have to wait for Wallabies debut - Rennie

Published 12/11/2020, 02:05 pm
Updated 12/11/2020, 02:06 pm

By Nick Mulvenney

SYDNEY, Nov 12 (Reuters) - Rugby league convert Suliasi Vunivalu had his first training session with the Wallabies squad on Thursday but coach Dave Rennie said he was unlikely to make his debut in this year's Tri-Nations.

The Fiji-born winger will play for the Queensland Reds in Super Rugby AU next year after scoring 86 tries in 111 matches over four seasons for National Rugby League (NRL) champions the Melbourne Storm.

Rennie said the 24-year-old had played the 15-man game at high school but still needed some time to adjust to the code before he was ready for test rugby.

"We've brought him in to have a look at him. There's no plan to use him in the two tests against Argentina unless we have a rash of injuries," Rennie told reporters from the team training camp in the Hunter Valley.

"A lot of his skills from league are easily transferable, he's good under the high ball, he's got a good kicking game and is very quick.

"He's obviously trying to get his head around the positional side of the game, which is a little bit different. We want to learn a bit about him and give him a little bit of clarity about what we want from him."

After four straight matches against the All Blacks that delivered a win, a draw and two heavy losses, the Wallabies have a week off before they face Argentina in the first of two tests that will round out their Tri-Nations campaign.

Marika Koroibete, another Fiji-born winger who switched codes after playing for the Melbourne Storm, is likely to face the Pumas after an outstanding display in the 24-22 victory over the All Blacks in Brisbane last weekend.

"I thought Marika was fantastic last week and he was regarded as the best player in Australia last year," Rennie added.

"So I was not surprised by that performance but it was pretty impressive."

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.