Unwanted code-hopper set for French stint
Code-hopper Suliasi Vunivalu is set to continue his rugby career in France after not being included in Queensland’s 2025 squad.
Despite having a Rugby Australia contract until the end of next year, the former Melbourne Storm NRL premiership-winning winger is expected to be released from the deal to allow him to join a French Top 14 club despite rumours that he might be heading back to rugby league.
A member of last year’s Wallabies squad at the Rugby World Cup, Vunivalu’s stocks have dramatically fallen at Super Rugby and international levels.
Having been largely out of selection favour at the Reds this year, Vunivalu was snubbed by Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt to the extent that he failed to even be named in a 30-man Australia XV squad – a second-string national contingent – for this month’s matches against Bristol and England A.
With a further 34 players part of the Wallabies squad on a grand slam tour of the UK and Ireland, it meant that Vunivalu was not deemed worthy of a spot among Australia’s top 64 players.
Vunivalu isn’t the only high-profile absentee from the Reds squad for next year, with excitement machine Jordan Petaia’s expected omission confirmed.
Petaia is likely to travel to the US to join the NFL’s international pathway program in an attempt to secure an NFL contract.
The Reds squad includes six players – Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Josh Canham, Matt Gibbon and Mason Gordon – who have joined Queensland following the Melbourne Rebels’ demise.
There are also spots for Australian under-20 representatives Trevor King and Will McCulloch.
Reds coach Les Kiss said Queensland’s squad continued to “evolve”.
“This is an ambitious group that knows working hard is the only way to bring out the best of their abilities in a fantastic competition,” Kiss said.
“We need to be ready for everything Super Rugby throws at you and that starts on the training field, in the gym and in our team meetings.”
The Reds start their 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign against Moana Pasifika on February 21.
Before that, they will travel to the UK and Ireland for matches against Bristol (January 31) and Ulster (February 7).
Queensland Reds 2025 squad: Lachie Anderson, Richie Asiata, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, John Bryant, Jock Campbell, Josh Canham, Max Craig, Filipo Daugunu, Massimo de Lutiis, Sef Fa’agase, Matt Faessler, Josh Flook. Jude Gibbs, Matt Gibbon, Mason Gordon. Frankie Goldsbrough, Isaac Henry, Alex Hodgman, Trevor King, Tom Lynagh, Will McCulloch, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Fraser McReight, Josh Nasser, Zane Nonggorr, Hunter Paisami, Dre Pakeho, Tim Ryan, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Kalani Thomas, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Seru Uru, Connor Vest, Louis Werchon, Harry Wilson, Liam Wright.
