Cooper Vuna

Rebels chase Knights flyer Cooper Vuna

HE Melbourne Rebels have not given up hope of recruiting Queensland State of Origin star Israel Folau but in the meantime they are set to snare another prize rugby league recruit, Newcastle Knights winger Cooper Vuna.

Rebels head coach Rod Macqueen yesterday refused to comment on speculation that Vuna, who has scored seven tries from nine NRL games this season, is poised to join the new Super 15 expansion team, possibly as early as today.

The 22-year-old Auckland-raised Tongan rugby league international has been high on the Rebels' hit list right from the start, along with fellow Knights winger Akuila Uate, Kiwi Test centre Junior Sau and Tigers fullback Beau Ryan.

A "rocks and diamonds" type of player, Vuna is set to become the Rebels' 20th recruit and their second from rugby league, after St George Illawarra forward Jarrod Saffy was signed last month by Brian Waldron, virtually his last act as Rebels CEO before he was forced to resign over the Storm salary cap scandal.

That leaves only 10 more spots to fill and suddenly the Rebels, who at one stage looked to be struggling to put together a respectable playing roster, look to have the makings of a team that could make a real impact next year -- particularly if Mark Gasnier can be persuaded to remain in rugby and Folau talked into coming across.

The club still appears light-on in the front-row, despite having signed former All Black loosehead Greg Somerville and Reds scrum anchor Laurie Weeks. But Macqueen, while declining to comment on Vuna's possible move, came out in forthright fashion yesterday to quash suggestions that Wallabies and Waratahs loosehead Benn Robinson was back in his sights.

"We have not spoken to Benn Robinson for two months," Macqueen said. "He indicated to us that he was happy at the Waratahs and we broke off negotiations."

Like Reds' Wallabies winger Peter Hynes, another player no longer on the Rebels' radar, Robinson is negotiating his contract with the Australian Rugby Union, and technically remains up for grabs.

One player taken off the available list yesterday was Brumbies winger Francis Fainifo, who re-signed with the ACT for a further two years.

Fainifo looked to have missed his chance to remind Brumbies head coach Andy Friend of his value to the side when he broke his leg midway through the season against the Chiefs, missing the side's final six matches.

"It's pleasing to know that we have players of the calibre of Franky locked away beyond 2011 to ensure that the Brumbies continue to be a force beyond the World Cup," Friend said.
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http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...lyer-cooper-vuna/story-e6frg7mf-1225869804755
 
As early as today?! no way. Hope he stays in Newcastle. Hurry up and make him an offer!
 
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I'm gonna slap someone if they don't sign Vuna. WHY sign dodgy types and not provens???!!!!
 
Any Rugby League player contemplating going over to the dark side (Union) should have a look at how the ones who have already gone are treated.

Those who have come back are always relieved to be able to play a real game again. And let's face it, O'neill, the grand poobah of union in oz is totally against giving any a league player a contract except for propaganda purposes and makes sure that they are treated badly.

Union is the home of hypocrisy and always has been. Wouldn't you love to be an up an comer in the game only to be cast aside for a League player?

To make sure that the player understands what he is doing I believe that the NRL should/must put in place a rule that disqualifies a player from ever returning to league............. also from the minute they sign a Union contract they should not be eligible to play first grade or representative football and must finish his contract in the NSW cup. Why hone his skills for Union. i'm not interested in the old chestnut of a player doing the best for himself and his family.....I'm interested in keeping League a vital game and not as a breeding ground for Union.
 
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Not bothered really, wingers are a dime a dozen.

We should be more focused on getting a class prop or two.
 
Absolute joke if we don't sign Vuna after his performances this year. Would be a tragedy for him to go to the Rebels. Doesn't rugby realise they are a laughing stock - they get a new franchise, and all they talk about is signing players from another sport! If a new league team did that (ie: Titans) I'd bet the fans would stay away in droves.

As for our cap space, I'm positive we have more than enough to re-sign Vuna, plus buy 2 top class players (a prop and a half). This may mean we have to let a couple go, but I'm willing to let Simmo and Doogs out now they are past their best.
 
If he goes it will just be for the $$$. And if we had to choose out of Aku or Vuna - I'd keep Aku.

Only thing is, aren't McManus & Uate both right wingers?
 
Uate played left pretty much the whole year last year until Vuna came back and McManus played right. Disappointed if he's signed. Why wouldn't the club not even enter into negotiations with Vuna ffs!
 
Typical Knights, the one player that's had a POSITIVE thread started about them all year coz they're playing really well, and we ignore them and don't make any effort to re-sign them.
 
I'd take him but only because he's one of my all time favs. Not sure if he'd benefit the team much though when we already have enough quality in the backs. Money better spent on a prop or two, to be honest.
 
Was one of my favorite players. But i feel we have a good enough back line as it is.. and plenty of depth too with Kev Naigama, BJ, Matautai etc... As Aidos said the money would be better off spent in the Forwards where imo we are a bit light
 
I'd take Vuna back any day of the week! If he was here now he'd be the second best winger at the club.
 
jamesgould said:
I'd take Vuna back any day of the week! If he was here now he'd be the second best winger at the club.
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Yeah, while I do think the money is better spent on a prop or two for us to win comps, you couldn't refuse to sign Vuna if he wanted to come at a reasonable price. I thought he was a massive loss at the time. He was getting back to his best not long before he left and was probably not far off Aku as a fan favourite.
 
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