NZ rugby's loss proves large gain for Storm

Former Auckland rugby prospect Suliasi Vunivalu has been a big asset for Melbourne Storm as they progress to the last four in the NRL this year. Photo / Getty Images

Australia has the Melbourne Storm and its superstars to thank for a rare win over New Zealand rugby in luring try-scoring wizard Suliasi Vunivalu across the ditch.

A 16-year-old Vunivalu was playing rugby in New Zealand - already a member of the Auckland Blues development squad - when he travelled to Melbourne with his school side to play a curtain-raiser against a junior Melbourne Rebels outfit.

The game happened to be at AAMI Park, home of the Storm, with their eagle-eyed recruiters quick to spot his prodigious talent.

Fast-forward and 21-year-old Vunivalu has been the NRL's top tryscorer in his first two years and is now preparing for his second grand final qualifier, against Brisbane on Friday.

Fiji-born Vunivalu said even as a junior rugby player in New Zealand he always had a soft spot for the Storm, which was why he turned his back on four Super Rugby clubs and signed an under-20 contract despite having never played rugby league.

"The Storm started chasing me and I was a big Storm fan when I was a kid," Vunivalu said. "I looked up to players like Billy (Slater), Smithy (Cameron Smith) and Cooper (Cronk) and I pinch myself that I'm playing in another final with them."

Vunivalu said this season had been special with the return of Slater, who had required shoulder surgery which ruled him out for the 2016 season.

"Having Billy at the back pushed me harder and I'm happy to be playing alongside him," Vunivalu said. "I'm also happy Josh (Addo-Carr) is on the other side and is doing well as it helps me with the competition against each other."

Wiser for the experience after losing last year's grand final against Cronulla, Vunivalu felt the team didn't need to do anything differently after coming so close to the title. He felt their success this season was due to their consistency.

"We're just going to stick with what's been working because that's been winning us games so we won't change anything."

Vunivalu recently committed to the Storm until 2020 and said he wouldn't think about a return to rugby or moving from Melbourne before then.

"I love this club and love Melbourne so I'm not sure about playing rugby," he said.

Meanwhile recovering Brisbane Broncos back Corey Oates may have made light of his sickening head knock but Brisbane teammate Jordan Kahu admits they face a tough call over the winger's fitness after his "scary" collision.

Oates emerged all smiles at training yesterday wearing headgear, after his horror clash with teammate Anthony Milford in last week's 13-6 semifinal win over Penrith ensured he left the field dazed in a medicab. Oates quickly ditched the sight gag to undergo light duties as he was monitored ahead of the Storm clash.

Veteran playmaker Benji Marshall joked the early indications weren't good for Oates yesterday.

"He is walking around in circles with headgear on so it is probably not a good sign," Marshall laughed.

"But I think he is playing. The collision looked a lot worse judging by the way he is feeling at the moment. He looks a lot better today than he did before. Hopefully he is on track to play because he is a big asset for us."

But Brisbane winger Jordan Kahu believed Oates was no guarantee to play against the Storm after witnessing the violent collision.

"It was scary," he said. "It was pretty upsetting seeing him going off on a stretcher."

Kahu said coach Wayne Bennett faced a "tough situation" on whether Oates should play.

Brisbane will need Oates' firepower to pull off an upset against the runaway favourites and book their second grand final in three years. Oates scored his eighth try in six finals games before his match ended abruptly against the Panthers.

- AAP