Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu stars for Reds in drought-breaking win

Without an overseas win in four years a former NRL flyer gave the critics food for thought in a big way in Samoa.

The pressure has eased, at least for now, on embattled Queensland Reds coach Brad Thorn after pulling the trigger and making mass changes helped his team end a run of three straight losses.

On a rare visit to hot and humid Apia, in Samoa, the Reds got back on the winners list with a 40-28 win over winless Moana Pasifika, a first overseas victory since 2019, running in six tries to spoil the homecoming party.

It was the first game in Samoa for the Auckland-based Pasifika team and the emotion of the Super Rugby Pacific cellar-dwellers proved a hurdle for the Reds to overcome early

Only eight players who started for the Reds in a heavy loss to the Brumbies the previous week kept their places in Thorn’s starting 15 as injuries and some swift selection decisions created the new look outfit.

Matthew Faessler scores one of his two tries in Samoa. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

Despite their winless status the home team kept pace with the visitors early, before a 14-14 scoreline became a 28-14 halftime lead for the Reds.

Moana outscored the visitors as humidity hit 95 per cent in the second half and conditions were “very sweaty, very hot” according to Reds captain Tate McDermott.

Two late Pasifika tries also denied the Reds a bonus point which could prove crucial in the season wash-up.

McDermott conceded his team may have floundered in the final 20 minutes but still labelled the win as “massive” for his team which remains in the finals hunt despite only winning three of eight games.

“I don’t really care about the performance at this stage,” McDermott said post-match.

“We’ve had a couple of tough weeks, so really proud of the effort.

“Obviously, not ideal, last probably 15-20 minutes, but at the end of the day, we‘ll take that.

“We need it for confidence going into the bye week and get our season back. So it’s a baby step in the right direction.”

Local fans were out in force in Apia, Samoa. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)

The inclusion of James O’Connor and winger Suliasi Vunivalu were among the changes Thorn made to spark his team which has only recorded wins over the Fijian Drua and Western Force so far this season.

Wallabies hopeful Vunivalu was particularly impressive having been recalled after a lacklustre start to the season.

Seemingly suited in the local conditions, the winger scored a try from an intercept after having a hand in two others, including an assist for his team’s opening score.

Hooker Matt Faessler also scored a double for the Reds in a victory which lifted them to sixth on the table before the remaining games of the round are completed, with Thorn’s side set for a bye next week.

Originally published as Former NRL flyer Suliasi Vunivalu stars for Reds in drought-breaking win