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Former Warriors NRL star in surprise Reds rugby cameo
Murray Wenzel, AAP • September 16th, 2026 4:30 pm
Former Warriors winger David Fusitua will be looking make an impact for the Queensland Reds | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Two years spent terrorising Brisbane club rugby opponents in the most low-profile of code switches has launched former Warriors winger David Fusitua into a surprise Queensland Reds pre-season cameo.
And former Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu has also been roped in to face the NSW Waratahs in round two of Super Rugby AUS in Roma on Saturday.
With a dozen Reds in the latest Wallabies squad and injuries to backline stars Lachie Anderson (concussion), Izaia Perese (calf), Josh Flook (Achilles) and Treyvon Pritchard (ankle), new coach Vern Cotter has been forced to select from outside the box.
Queensland Reds coach Vern Cotter faced a selection challenge | Photo: Darren England/AAP
It's resulted in a call-up that shocked 31-year-old Fusitua, who played more than 100 NRL games for the Warriors and represented both New Zealand and Tonga, before spending three seasons in England with Leeds until 2024.
Reports of his retirement would have come as a surprise to the defensive lines tasked with stopping the 106kg Brothers recruit in the past two seasons.
Enjoying his new life as a youth worker and able to spend more time with his own family, Fusitua has relished the grassroots rugby experience - Brothers won this year's premiership - and isn't actively pursuing a new deal.
"It's crazy how things work out. After my time in league ended with Leeds I knew I wasn't finished with footy," said Fusitua, who will start at outside centre.
"I'd wanted to try rugby, made some enquiries through a friend in NZ and he connected me to Brothers.
"I've really enjoyed the scene and the guys there and what grassroots footy is all about.
"I know the history and respect the Reds jersey, and want to rip in at Roma against NSW."
"I'd wanted to try rugby, made some enquiries through a friend in NZ and he connected me to Brothers.
"I've really enjoyed the scene and the guys there and what grassroots footy is all about.
"I know the history and respect the Reds jersey, and want to rip in at Roma against NSW."
Former Wallabies winger Sefa Naivalu has been named to face the NSW Waratahs in Roma | Photo: Dan Peled/AAP
Naivula was bringing his boots to Roma regardless, keen to feature for the Vintage Reds side against the Roma Echidnas earlier on Saturday, before Cotter gave him a call.
The former Melbourne Rebels and Reds winger has played in France since leaving Australian rugby in 2019.
Hooker Matt Faessler, who has fallen down the Wallabies' pecking order since starting the first Test against the British and Irish Lions last year, and flyhalf Tom Lynagh will get more valuable playing time to push their cases for a recall.
