The signing of Suliasi Vunivalu to the Queensland Reds has raised some questions about rugby recruitment tactics.
The 24-year-old Storm winger after signing a two-year deal reportedly worth AUD$1.8 million on Wednesday with Rugby Australia and the Reds, he is set to wear a Wallabies jersey from 2021.
According to nrl.com it is unclear when Rugby Australia recruiters decided to target a Fijian who only moved to Australia to play in the NRL but under World Rugby’s eligibility rules, Vunivalu qualifies for the Wallabies on residency grounds.
The issue isn’t that Vunivalu is changing codes but that Rugby Australia decided to persuade him to switch countries to bolster the ranks of the Wallabies.
Rugby union players have been lured to league since the code began but never with a view to them changing national allegiances.
The International Rugby League and NRL are focused in strengthening the Pacific nations with more regular Tests and eligibility rules that encourage players to represent their countries of heritage.
