Ex-NRL winger David Fusitu'a earns maiden Super Rugby start for Queensland Reds

David Fusitu’a, the former New Zealand Warriors and Leeds Rhinos winger who swapped rugby league for union in late 2024, has been named in the Queensland Reds’ starting XV for their Super Rugby clash with the NSW Waratahs in Roma, earning his maiden run-on appearance at outside centre.

Fusitu’a, 31, played 108 NRL games for the Warriors and represented both New Zealand and Tonga at international level before his league career ended at Leeds. He then spent time with Brisbane club side Brothers to find his feet in the 15-man game, and will now partner Josh Takai in the midfield against the Reds’ arch-rivals.

“It’s been a crazy couple of years,” Fusitu’a said. “After my time in league ended with Leeds I knew I wasn’t finished with footy and wanted to give rugby a crack. I made some enquiries through a friend in NZ. He connected me to the Brothers club so I’m in Brisbane by chance. The people there have been really welcoming, I’m enjoying some new friendships and making headway in rugby.”

The former winger added that he has rediscovered his passion for the sport through the grassroots environment at Brothers. “I’ve really found that love of what grassroots footy is all about,” he said. “I’m pretty aware of the rich history of the Reds and want to rip in at Roma. There’s always a bit more in it coming up against NSW.”

Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler captains the side, which is looking to bounce back after a narrow 29-28 defeat to the Western Force in Brisbane. The forward pack is unchanged from that result, with George Blake and Nick Bloomfield flanking Faessler in the front row, Will Ross and Charlie Brosnan locking the scrum, and Tom Robinson, John Bryant, and Joe Brial completing the back row.

Mosiah Christian partners Tom Lynagh at half-back, with Sefa Naivalu and Tim Ryan on the wings and Will McCulloch at fullback.