The Reds are set to face the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium, seeking to avenge their first two losses against them earlier in the season.
The Reds are also seeking to redeem themselves after their loss to the Fijian Drua at HFC Bank Stadium in Suva with the final score being 28-19 to the home side.
But Queensland will be missing a winger in their ranks with Suliasi Vunivalu being handed a one-week suspension after tripping Kitione Salawa four minutes into the Drua game which resulted in a penalty try and the former Melbourne Storm star being handed a yellow card.
Vunivalu failed to learn from his previous mistake and proceeded to trip Fijian winger Selestino Ravutaumada.
This resulted in Vunivalu being handed a red card and leaving the field for the rest of the game.
Though his suspension may be for one week, many Reds fans have been vocal about their disappointment with Vunivalu and some don’t want to see him playing for the Queensland Reds again.
Suliasi Vunivalu tripping Kitione Salawa of the Fijian Drua. (Photo by Pita Simpson/Getty Images)
Vunivalu still has one more year left on his contract with his contract ending next year in 2025 but fans want to see Vunivalu out before then.
Reds fans have favoured new winger Tim Ryan over the former NRL star.
In his last four Super Rugby appearances, “The Junkyard Dog” as fans have started to call him has made quite the impression on Queensland Reds fans and it’s not hard to see why.
During his debut against the Auckland Blues, Tim Ryan scored a hattrick while also running circles around the Blues’ experienced backline and it’s no secret that Ryan tore up the defence of both the Crusaders and the Rebels during the games against both teams.
Ryan has been playing like how Vunivalu should play since he is the experienced player on the wing and not Ryan – his performance throughout the season has been pitiful.
With poor defence, poor attack, slow speed and even though he has had some good moments, even those are forgettable to the fans as they only seem to remember how disappointing he has been this season.
If Les Kiss wants to coach the Reds to another Super Rugby final appearance and victory, he may have to put some players on the chopping block and there’s one thing Reds fans can agree on, Vunivalu has to be the one to go.
Vunivalu’s time in Rugby Union has come to an end, it was fun watching Suli playing while it lasted, every time Vunivalu is on the screen Reds fans start screaming at their TV, “Don’t screw anything up”.
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