Could Super Rugby pundits be about to witness a return of the Suliasi Vunivalu of old – the NRL winger who tormented rival defences with relentless carry after relentless carry?
That is the vow of the now-Queensland Reds star, who revealed new coach Les Kiss had instructed him to inject himself into the contest more frequently.
In a throwback to his NRL days, Suliasi Vunivalu has vowed to increase his involvement.Credit: Getty
The former Melbourne Storm star has endured a slow rise in the 15-man code, battling hamstring injuries early on before becoming a staple Wallabies selection during the World Cup.
Gone are the days in which he was required to do several tough yardage carries in his rugby league days, when he scored 86 tries from 111 appearances.
But Vunivalu said Kiss had implored him to impose himself on the contest.
Wet conditions and the Reds’ dominance in set-pieces in Saturday’s 40-22 triumph over the Waratahs limited the 28-year-old to just four carries, but on the back of those touches, tries were scored.
That included some brilliant link work with fullback Jordan Petaia, who found the winger in space to then grubber back inside to score a penalty try.
It is that fledgling union that Vunivalu believes could unlock his true potential.
“It [my limited carries] is just the way the game panned out, and the wet weather didn’t help. But in saying that, that’s the goal – trying to get as many carries [as possible],” Vunivalu said.
“We [Petaia and I] have been working on that during our preseason training.
Jock Campbell has been recalled to the Reds’ starting side.Credit: Getty
“It’s good to see all the plays like that come out during a game, all the hard work during the week, and it just paid off.
“It’s all about communication … Jordie’s a big player, you give him an opportunity, he will take it. I thought he played well, he just makes everyone look good.”
If Vunivalu, and recalled outside back Jock Campbell – who comes onto the opposite flank at the expense of Mac Grealy – are to make an impact out wide, the Reds’ forward pack must “go to another level” against a formidable Hurricanes line-up.
Queensland’s set-piece reaped rewards against New South Wales, hooker Matt Faessler scoring two tries off mauls, while Tate McDermott crossed straight from a well-won scrum five metres out.
Where they let themselves down, however, was in the 14 turnovers conceded, an area their Kiwi rivals will no doubt punish more on the back of their 44-14 win over the Western Force.
But in World Cup representatives Faessler, Fraser McReight and Zane Nonggorr – along with unlucky Wallabies snub Harry Wilson – Reds assistant coach and set-piece mastermind Zane Hilton sees the nucleus of a long-term engine room.
Faessler’s rise, in particular – blossoming from Brisbane club rugby to a national prospect – was meteoric, and Hilton believed that quartet would take the battle to the Hurricanes personally.
“Matt’s been very humble there, look at his last 12 months – he’s come through from playing club rugby at Brothers and ended up in the starting position for the Reds and going into a World Cup,” Hilton said.
Fraser McReight and his fellow Queensland forwards may have the makings of the Wallabies’ long-term nucleus.Credit: Getty
“There’s a real love and passion around our set-piece and wanting to be successful in that area. If they perform well as a Queensland pack, there’s no doubt they will get opportunities at the next level.
“The Hurricanes are great off turnover attack – they’re a great counterattacking side – [and] we’ve got to minimise those opportunities.
“When we look at improvement, it’s not necessarily just around anything technical or tactical, it’s about opportunity. It’s making sure you maximise the opportunities when you get them against very good sides where you will get limited opportunities.”
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