Filipo Daugunu, a star player for the Wallabies, has made a surprising decision to return to the Queensland Reds after the Melbourne Rebels' closure. He speaks about his decision, the impact of coaches Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss, and his future aspirations, including the possibility of playing for the Wallabies again.
Wallabies star Filipo Daugunu has made a surprising return to the Queensland Reds , opting against an overseas move after the Melbourne Rebels ' closure left his future uncertain. Daugunu, who recently rejoined the Wallabies under coach Joe Schmidt after a two-year hiatus, credits Schmidt with helping him regain his peak form. He says Schmidt's coaching style, which emphasizes freedom and creative play, resonated with him.
Daugunu believes that his future beyond 2025 hinges on whether he earns another call-up to the Wallabies. He's open to staying with the Reds if the Wallabies want him, but acknowledges the allure of lucrative contracts in France. He describes his move to the Rebels as a challenging experience, but ultimately believes returning to Queensland was the right decision. He's joined by five other ex-Rebels at Ballymore: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Josh Canham, Mason Gordon, Lachie Anderson, and Matt Gibbon.Salakaia-Loto feels he thrived during his time with the Rebels and is eager to make an impact with the Reds. The closure of the Melbourne Rebels has sparked both concern and optimism. While some see it as a potential detriment due to fewer playing opportunities, others argue that it will force Australian teams to compete more fiercely for talent, ultimately leading to stronger performances. Queensland Rugby Union chief executive David Hanham believes that the shrinking talent pool will drive improvement and help Australian teams compete at a higher level. Hanham emphasizes the need for Australian teams to perform well in the lead-up to the British and Irish Lions tour and the 2027 Rugby World Cup, attracting crowds and laying the groundwork for future success
FILIPO DAUGUNU QUEENSLAND REDS WALLABIES MELBOURNE REBELS JOE SCHMIDT LES KISS SUPER RUGBY
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