MY ACCOUNT
Australia must prove their intensity against England in order to “shut the Pommies up” in the third and final Test this weekend, says winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
The Wallabies head to Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday for the final game of their three-match series with Eddie Jones’ side.
Having overcome a tough start to win in Perth, the hosts were then outclassed in Brisbane, leaving the last match in New South Wales as a winner-takes-all decider.
Former NRL winger-turned-cross-code convert Vunivalu will make his debut in the green and gold, having previously represented Fiji – the country of his birth – at international level in rugby league.
The ex-Melbourne Storm man has been named on the bench for the match and says if Australia can find the intensity straight out of the gate they have missed, they will only improve their prospects against the tourists.
“We have been lacking that with the Wallabies for our first 20 minutes,” he stated. “If we can bring that up and shut the Pommies up, we’ll do a good job.”
Having crossed codes to join the Queensland Reds last year, injury has kept Vunivalu away from a maiden bow for his adopted country, but the winger is delighted that he will finally get his chance.
“It’s been a long time coming with a couple of setbacks last year,” he added.
“The main goal last year coming over to rugby was to play for Reds and don the gold jersey. I feel grateful to be able to play in this third game and decider in Sydney.”
“I’m fully excited and can’t wait. Just to look back with all the setbacks, watching the boys last year and the spring tour. I was doing my rehab in Melbourne, itching to get back and now the day has come.”
