2024 Melbourne Rebels Squad Dispersal

[WFDom]

Without analysing I'm hoping Cronno has crossed paths with a few of them over the years. Mayve dropped them a whatsapp or two

[Burgs]

Filipo Daugunu returns to the Queensland Reds for 2025

Sat, Jun 29, 2024, 7:38 AM
Reds Media Unit

Wallabies utility back Filipo Daugunu has signed a one-year deal to return to the Queensland Reds.

The Queensland Rugby Union is delighted to announce the experienced addition to build backline depth for the 2025 season.

Daugunu, 29, played 69 Super Rugby games during his six previous seasons (2018-23) at the Reds before a strong 2024 stint of 12 games for the Melbourne Rebels.

The decision to reconnect with the Reds became an easy one.

“Queensland is home for me. It’s where it all started,” Daugunu said.

“For me to come back, I’m honoured to be here. There will be a lot of familiar faces. I’m happy.”

Last week, he packed his car and drove the 18 hours from Melbourne to Brisbane to re-establish his life.

Daugunu is returning to the Reds as a more versatile player. He played almost exclusively at outside centre for the Rebels after making his name as a winger.

“For me, it was a good change to go to Melbourne. I played a lot at outside centre and enjoyed the defensive role where you read the play by connecting with your inside centre and the winger on the outside,” Daugunu said.

"I've spent most of my career playing on the wing. I'm happy to play the position where I'm needed.

“The news has been tough for the Rebels but you have to move on.”

The popular Daugunu burst onto the scene in 2017 after arriving unheralded from his homeland of Fiji.

He carried his speed and try-scoring for the Wests club into even more prolific deeds for Queensland Country. He crossed for a hat-trick of tries in Country’s 42-28 win over Canberra Vikings in the grand final of the 2017 National Rugby Championship.

Daugunu’s dash generated 22 tries for the Reds in six seasons and his play has earned him seven Test caps to date.

His recent elevation into the Wallabies squad of new coach Joe Schmidt shows how highly his experience and form is valued.

At 98kg, Daugunu also adds a powerful frame to the Reds’ backline options.

“It’s fantastic that Filipo has returned to Queensland. He’s much respected and we’re really pleased he has chosen to come home,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.

“He gives us great cover in the midfield and outside backs.” Negotiations are continuing with a number of players following the recent re-signings of Hunter Paisami, Zane Nonggorr, George Blake, Ryan Smith, Josh Flook, Josh Nasser and Tom Lynagh plus the signing of Josh Canham.

FILIPO DAUGUNU
Position: Winger-Centre

Height: 178cm

Weight: 98kg

Born: 04/03/1995

Birthplace: Labasa, Fiji

Senior Club: TBC

School: Dogotuki District School, Fiji

Queensland Reds debut: 2018 v Rebels, Melbourne

Super Rugby caps: 81 (Reds 69, Rebels 12)

Super Rugby points: 145 (Reds 120: 22 tries, 2 cons, 2 pens), (Rebels 25: 5 tries)

Wallabies Tests: 7

[chiraag]

Looking pretty clear how these rebels players are going to be dispersed. We'll obviously need to be looking at other avenues, however overseas options are apparently now closed to us also. Zooming of the force looking very much like a net negative at the moment for the Force and Wallabies.

[GIGS20]

I was planning on preparing a shopping list entitled "Players who have been discarded by other teams to fit the Rebels in" because I think that's going to be our lot.

Haven't had time to think about it yet, but it's likely the better option.

[GIGS20]

I was planning on preparing a shopping list entitled "Players who have been discarded by other teams to fit the Rebels in" because I think that's going to be our lot.

Haven't had time to think about it yet, but it's likely the better option.

so....to begin the process

Reds are going to need to shift a lock and an outside back

Looking at the 2024 list, they currently have
Locks
Angus Blyth – Likely gonna stay
Cormac Daly – A new hire, unlikely to go
Taine Roiri – haven't heard of him, might be worth a chase
Ryan Smith – Likely gonna stay
Connor Vest – Had some game time but might go

Outside Backs
Floyd Aubrey – Played some minutes, but might seek greener pastures
Jock Campbell – Likely gonna stay
Mac Grealy – I'm closer to Likely gonna stay than not
Jordan Petaia – they can keep him (and probably want to)
Tim Ryan – for PR value alone I'd keep him
Suliasi Vunivalu – That'd be just our luck I can see the headline now "x test Wallaby outside back signs with the Force on a 5 year deal"

[Burgs]

so....to begin the process

Reds are going to need to shift a lock and an outside back

Looking at the 2024 list, they currently have
Locks
Angus Blyth – Likely gonna stay
Cormac Daly – A new hire, unlikely to go
Taine Roiri – haven't heard of him, might be worth a chase
Ryan Smith – Likely gonna stay
Connor Vest – Had some game time but might go

Outside Backs
Floyd Aubrey – Played some minutes, but might seek greener pastures
Jock Campbell – Likely gonna stay
Mac Grealy – I'm closer to Likely gonna stay than not
Jordan Petaia – they can keep him (and probably want to)
Tim Ryan – for PR value alone I'd keep him
Suliasi Vunivalu – That'd be just our luck I can see the headline now "x test Wallaby outside back signs with the Force on a 5 year deal"

If it helps, what I have "Off Contract" for the Reds.
Blue 2024, black unknown-

Peni RAVAI Prop
Sef FA'AGASE Prop
Richie ASIATA Hooker
Cormac DALY Lock
Connor ANDERSON Back row
Liam WRIGHT Back row
Louis WERCHON Scrum-half
James O'CONNOR Fly-half
Lawson CREIGHTON Fly-half
Jordan PETAIA Winger
Mac GREALY Winger
Jock CAMPBELL Fullback
Max CRAIG Hooker
Taine ROIRI Lock
John BRYANT Back row
Harry MCLAUGHLIN-PHILLIPS Fly-half
Isaac HENRY Fly-half
Frankie GOLDSBROUGH Centre
Taj ANNAN Centre
Tim RYAN Winger
Floyd AUBREY Fullback

[wallabydarnd]

Can we pick the correct Joc???

[GIGS20]

Can we pick the correct Joc???

Porque no los dos?

[wallabydarnd]

Mala memoria

[Sheikh]

Can we pick the correct Joc???

Past evidence would suggest that we probably can't!

[Kernow]

If it helps, what I have "Off Contract" for the Reds.
Blue 2024, black unknown-

Peni RAVAI Prop
Sef FA'AGASE Prop
Richie ASIATA Hooker
Cormac DALY Lock
Connor ANDERSON Back row
Liam WRIGHT Back row
Louis WERCHON Scrum-half
James O'CONNOR Fly-half
Lawson CREIGHTON Fly-half
Jordan PETAIA Winger
Mac GREALY Winger
Jock CAMPBELL Fullback
Max CRAIG Hooker
Taine ROIRI Lock
John BRYANT Back row
Harry MCLAUGHLIN-PHILLIPS Fly-half
Isaac HENRY Fly-half
Frankie GOLDSBROUGH Centre
Taj ANNAN Centre
Tim RYAN Winger
Floyd AUBREY Fullback

How many are Australian/ Aus Eligible?

[Sheikh]

How many are Australian/ Aus Eligible?

They are all Australian apart from:

Peni Ravai is Fijian, capped ~30 times
Cormac Daly is Irish, but only capped at U20, so could become eligible in a couple of years