Suliasi Vunivalu has been linked with a switch back to rugby league, after the Queensland Reds flyer was left out of Joe Schmidt’s Autumn Nations Series squad.
The big-money signing will also be absent as his Reds teammates travel to Japan for a doubleheader against Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
If the former Melbourne Storm star is to return to the 13-player code, where could he land?
New Parramatta coach Jason Ryles has again brought out the broom with Mika Sivo heading to the Super League, so there could be a fit with the Eels. The addition of Vunivalu could help kickstart Ryles’ rebuild at CommBank Stadium, with Zac Lomax joining the club in 2025 and potentially more tinkering with the backline to be done as Clint Gutherson faces an uncertain future.
Set to re-sign star halfback Sam Walker, Trent Robinson may view Vunivalu as a good option to further bolster his backline for 2025 and beyond after the departures of Joseph Manu and Joseph-Aukoso Suaalii to rugby union. Daniel Tupou and code hopper Mark Nawaqanitawase are options for the wing spots but the latter may be set to play in the centres to cover Suaalii.
Craig Bellamy would no doubt savour a reunion at the Storm but would surely need to facilitate a salary cap reshuffle to fit in the former Melbourne star. Bellamy’s backline is already one of the best in the NRL but if Will Warbrick made a move to the centres and Jack Howarth switched to the forwards, there would be a spot for Vunivalu on the wing.
Kristian Woolf could be keen to make a splash in the market as he prepares for his first season in charge of the Dolphins and of all the potential landing spots, the expansion side have salary space available without needing to tinker with the squad too much.
Suliasi Vunivalu (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)
St George Illawarra would be an intriguing landing spot as Shane Flanagan has intimated he will open the chequebook for the right player, with Bulldogs speedster Josh Addo-Carr another potential target for the Red V.
Canberra are another possibility as Ricky Stuart searches for a Jordan Rapana replacement, as are the Canterbury Bulldogs who will open up a fair chunk of their salary cap if Addo-Carr does depart the club after the off-field incident that overshadowed their finals week one defeat to Manly.
Lacking try-scoring ability, the Knights would surely be interested in the 28-year-old’s talents as another outlet for points to help Kalyn Ponga, who does much of the heavy lifting for Adam O’Brien’s attack.
Other sides looking for strike out wide include New Zealand and North Queensland, who have seen Marcelo Montoya and Valentine Holmes respectively head for the exit door.