Exclusive: Hull FC are in talks to sign Fijian winger Suliasi Vunivalu.
Hull FC are hoping to sign Fijian winger Suliasi Vunivalu.(Image: Getty)
Hull FC are interested in signing former Melbourne Storm winger Suliasi Vunivalu. All Out Rugby League understands the Black and Whites have already met with the Fijian and are hoping to finalise a deal to sign the 30-year-old, who turns 31 in November and currently plays rugby union in France.
A three time NRL Premiership winner, Vunivalu made his name in rugby league during a highly successful 111-game and 86-try NRL spell with the Storm, winning Grand Finals in the 2016, 2018, and 2020 seasons. He is also a 10-time Fiji international.
The winger crossed codes at the end of 2020, signing for Australian rugby union side Queensland Reds and made his debut in 2021. He stayed with the Reds until 2024, playing 39 games and scoring 20 tries. He also made his Test debut for the Australian Wallabies, before being granted a release from his Rugby Australia contract to join French Top 14 club Stade Rochelais, or commonly known as La Rochelle.
However, it’s now rugby league where Vunivalu’s future may lay again, with Hull interested in signing the player, who last played the sport six years ago and is currently in rehab after rupturing his ACL. He is expected to be fit for the start of the 2027 season.
Incoming head coach Steve McNamara was spotted meeting the Fijian winger in nearby Beverley last week. Hull Live understands the player also had a tour of the MKM Stadium and is eager to return to rugby league.
Hull aren’t the first Super League club to be interested in Vunivalu, with Wakefield Trinity in talks to sign the player earlier this year. However, Love Rugby League have since reported that those talks have ended and the winger won’t be signing for the West Yorkshire club.
That seemingly opens the door for Hull, and while a deal at this stage isn’t thought to be completed, Hull, who have already signed Leigh Leopards back Bailey Hodgson and Catalans Dragons hooker Alrix Da Costa for 2027, are hoping it will be in the near future.
Standing at six feet four and weighing over 100 kg, Vunivalu is a powerful winger and would naturally add more depth and competition to a wing spot that is stocked with young flyers Harvey Barron and Lewis Martin, who both signed long-term deals earlier this year to keep them at the club until 2029 and 2030.
Interestingly, Vunivalu played inside centre in his junior rugby union days back in Fiji and once while in the Storm youth system. However, he has spent his entire senior career on the wing.
Meanwhile, Hull also have Joe Ward contracted for 2027. The youngster ruptured his ACL in a pre-season game back in February and was ruled out for the season. Elsewhere, veteran winger Tom Briscoe is out of contract at the end of the 2026 season, as is young outside back Roman Dawson.