The Queensland Reds have introduced their second low season signing of the week after revealing that Wallabies utility Filipo Daugunu will return to the membership on a one-year deal.
Daugunu performed 69 Tremendous Rugby video games over a six 12 months span with the Reds earlier than transferring south to pursue a possibility with the Melbourne Rebels in 2024. The 29-year-old began 12 matches at outdoors centre and one on the wing throughout a promising particular person marketing campaign.
After a while away from the nationwide staff, the seven-Check Wallaby has been rewarded for a robust season with the Melburnians by Australia coach Joe Schmidt. Schmidt included Daugunu within the Wallabies’ 38-man squad forward of their July internationals.
However earlier than these Checks get underway when the Wallabies host Warren Gatland’s Wales in Sydney subsequent weekend, Daugunu has locked in his enjoying plans for the subsequent season after penning a deal to return to Ballymore.
“Queensland is residence for me. It’s the place it began,” Daugunu mentioned in a press release. “For me to come back again, I’m honoured to be right here. There can be numerous acquainted faces. I’m glad.”
When Daugunu was thrown into the Tremendous Rugby cauldron for the primary time again in 2018, the utility was solely seen as a winger for fairly a while. Daugunu performed 11 matches on the suitable wing in 14 appearances for the membership that 12 months.
??-introducing our second offseason addition 🔏
Welcome residence, Lipo! pic.twitter.com/I2BBw6fwwa
— Queensland Reds (@Reds_Rugby) June 29, 2024
That development continued for fairly a while till the Reds’ quarter-final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton final 12 months. After six years on the membership, that fixture performed beneath then-coach Brad Thorn was the primary time Daugunu began at outdoors centre for the Reds.
However after altering positions with Kevin Foote’s Rebels this 12 months, Daugunu will return to the Sunshine State was a extra versatile participant.
“For me, it was a very good likelihood to go to Melbourne. I performed quite a bit at outdoors centre and loved the defensive function the place you learn the play by connecting together with your inside centre and the winger on the surface,” Daugunu defined.
“I’ve spent most of my profession enjoying on the wing. I’m glad to play the place the place I’m wanted.
“The information has been robust for the Rebels however it’s a must to transfer on.”
Daugunu scored 22 tries throughout his first stint with the Queensland membership earlier than happening to attain a handful for the Rebels. They’re some promising numbers from the utility because the Reds proceed to construct their squad beneath coach Les Kiss.
Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook are the incumbents within the Reds’ midfield and each males have been named in Joe Schmidt’s Australia squad together with Daugunu. That presents a wide variety headache for the coach to have going into subsequent season.
“It’s implausible that Filipo has returned to Queensland,” Les Kiss added. “He’s a lot revered and we’re actually happy he has chosen to come back residence.
“He offers us nice cowl within the midfield and out of doors backs.”
