Queensland Reds speedster Suliasi Vunivalu says Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has given him renewed confidence and promised he can hit top gear with ball in hand if given the chance for Australia at the Rugby World Cup.
After a mixed year for the Reds, which included being dropped for a match against the Brumbies, Vunivalu was invited to Jones’ first Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast last month.
Jones has made no secret of his desire to transform Vunivalu into the same player who dominated the NRL during his time with the Melbourne Storm from 2016 to 2020. In that period, Vunivalu scored 86 tries in 111 games.
Incessant injuries and falling out of favour with Jones’ predecessor, Dave Rennie, have halted Vunivalu’s ability to make an impact at international level. In Super Rugby, Vunivalu has scored 10 tries in 20 matches.
After signing a lucrative contract to switch codes in late 2020, Vunivalu has played just four minutes of Test rugby.
Jones light-heartedly told reporters he might need to bring out a cattle prod to give Vunivalu the jolt he needs to recapture the sizzling speeds of his NRL days.
Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu.Credit: Getty
Sure enough, Jones brought along a prodding device to camp at Sanctuary Cove, before asking players where Vunivalu was.
“I actually didn’t know about the cattle prod,” Vunivalu told this masthead ahead of Saturday’s clash between the Reds and Waratahs in Townsville. “When he mentioned it, I had to ask one of the boys next to me, ‘what do they use that for’?
“It’s funny. Eddie is a funny coach. He has some jokes in him. It’s made me run faster in the last few weeks.
“It was really quiet when he entered. We thought he was going to be really serious, but he was cracking jokes. Everyone enjoyed the camp. I took a lot from it and I know what I need to work on in my game.”
The elephant in the room, when discussing Vunivalu, is his speed.
Vunivalu said under the previous Wallabies coaching group, Rennie wanted to see repeated bursts of top-end speed at training.
Due to multiple hamstring injuries, Vunivalu was often afraid to go all out. As a result, Rennie didn’t pick Vunivalu, which was a source of frustration.
Vunivalu has revealed what Jones wants to see from him. He says their conversations have been positive.
‘Eddie is a funny coach. He has some jokes in him’
Suliasi Vunivalu on Wallabies coach Eddie Jones
“He just said, ‘mate, I want you to be you. Try and be yourself. You’re a try-scoring bloke. Go back to being that bloke. Don’t try and do other stuff. You’re getting away from your football’,” Vunivalu said.
“I thought, ‘it’s true’. I just have to do my job so I can help the team out.
The sixth-placed Reds will be hoping Vunivalu can be at his destructive best this weekend against a Waratahs side sitting one spot below them.
“My body is good and I’ve been training really well,” Vunivalu said. “The last two games I have played 80 minutes without any cramping or issues with my hamstrings. I feel fit and my body is right where it needs to be.
Suliasi Vunivalu in Wallabies colours.Credit: AP
“It’s a big game, especially being in Townsville. We need this win against the Tahs to lock in our season. It’s about trying to enjoy the week.
“It’s a full NSW backline. You’ve got Izzy Perese there and Ben Donno playing really good footy at the moment. There’s threats everywhere.”
Vunivalu is remaining coy on his playing future, despite reports of a two-year extension with the Reds – “I’m just enjoying playing rugby again” – but lets himself dare to dream about representing the Wallabies at this year’s World Cup in France.
Despite his fair share of hiccups, Vunivalu still believes swapping codes was the correct call.
“I stand by my decision,” Vunivalu said. “I’ve never been injured back-to-back. If you take [injuries] away, I was playing really good footy until I did my hammy a couple of times.
“Everyone wants to play in a World Cup. It’s always in my head. I want to represent Australia. If I do, it’s a big goal for me and my family. I have to put my head down, put the work in and let my footy play out.”
