live Infotainment Factory: Ex-NRL star edges closer to Wallabies debut

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Saturday, 11 June 2022

Ex-NRL star edges closer to Wallabies debut


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Former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu is in line to make his debut for the Wallabies after being named in Dave Rennie's 35-man squad for next month's series against England.

Vunivalu is one of six uncapped players selected in Rennie's squad, alongside Jed Holloway, David Porecki, Cadeyrn Neville, Pone Fa'amausili and Nick Frost.

Michael Hooper will once again captain the Wallabies, who will be without the injured Izak Rodda and the omitted Reece Hodge.

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Vunivalu, who switched over to rugby union after 111 games with the Melbourne Storm at the end of 2020, has enjoyed a strong season with the Queensland Reds.

Suliasi Vunivalu for the Queensland Reds against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium last year.

"The core of this squad is a group who have performed strongly for us over the last two seasons, while strong form in Super Rugby Pacific has been rewarded with a handful of new faces," Rennie said in a statement.

"The past two years have allowed us to build strong foundations as a group but there's no doubt that we have a lot more in us.

"We're looking forward to working hard and preparing as a group to put in performances that make our supporters proud against England next month."

Japanese-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are the three overseas selections.

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Watch every Wallabies Test ad-free, live & on Demand on Stan Sport and the Nine Network. Start your free Stan Sport trial now.

The group will assemble on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday as they prepare for the three-Test series against Eddie Jones' team, with the opener scheduled at Optus Stadium in Perth on July 2.

The sides will then move to the east coast with the second clash at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 9 and a potential decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 16.

FULL WALLABIES SQUAD: Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Quade Cooper, Pone Fa'amausili, Folau Fainga'a, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Michael Hooper (c), Jed Holloway , Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio , Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Cadeyrn Neville, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami , Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

Former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu is in line to make his debut for the Wallabies after being named in Dave Rennie's 35-man squad for next month's series against England.

Vunivalu is one of six uncapped players selected in Rennie's squad, alongside Jed Holloway, David Porecki, Cadeyrn Neville, Pone Fa'amausili and Nick Frost.

Michael Hooper will once again captain the Wallabies, who will be without the injured Izak Rodda and the omitted Reece Hodge.

READ MORE: Leclerc continues incredible streak in Azerbaijan

READ MORE: Kyrgios accuses tennis fans of 'racist slur' in Stuttgart

READ MORE: Sri Lankan skipper's historic blitz rocks Aussies

Vunivalu, who switched over to rugby union after 111 games with the Melbourne Storm at the end of 2020, has enjoyed a strong season with the Queensland Reds.

Suliasi Vunivalu for the Queensland Reds against the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium last year.

"The core of this squad is a group who have performed strongly for us over the last two seasons, while strong form in Super Rugby Pacific has been rewarded with a handful of new faces," Rennie said in a statement.

"The past two years have allowed us to build strong foundations as a group but there's no doubt that we have a lot more in us.

"We're looking forward to working hard and preparing as a group to put in performances that make our supporters proud against England next month."

Japanese-based trio Quade Cooper, Samu Kerevi and Marika Koroibete are the three overseas selections.

https://twitter.com/StanSportRugby/status/1535781885041065984

Watch every Wallabies Test ad-free, live & on Demand on Stan Sport and the Nine Network. Start your free Stan Sport trial now.

The group will assemble on the Sunshine Coast from Thursday as they prepare for the three-Test series against Eddie Jones' team, with the opener scheduled at Optus Stadium in Perth on July 2.

The sides will then move to the east coast with the second clash at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium on July 9 and a potential decider at the Sydney Cricket Ground on July 16.

FULL WALLABIES SQUAD: Allan Alaalatoa, Tom Banks, Angus Bell, Quade Cooper, Pone Fa'amausili, Folau Fainga'a, Nick Frost, Jake Gordon, Michael Hooper (c), Jed Holloway , Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Rob Leota, Noah Lolesio , Lachlan Lonergan, Tate McDermott, Cadeyrn Neville, James O'Connor, Hunter Paisami , Izaia Perese, Jordan Petaia, Matt Philip, David Porecki, Pete Samu, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Suliasi Vunivalu, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Tom Wright.

For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by clicking here!

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