Reds sign ex-Fijian soccer player Daugunu
Queensland Reds have bolstered their outside back stocks with the signing of the National Rugby Championship's leading tryscorer Filipo Daugunu.
Daugunu is a former Fijian soccer youth international who has scored 10 tries this season for Queensland Country, the side coached by recently-appointed Reds boss Brad Thorn.
The 22-year-old played as a goalkeeper in the round-ball game but gave it up in 2015 to pursue a career in rugby and has also spent time in Fiji's sevens program.
He moved to Brisbane this year to play club rugby and quickly caught the attention of Queensland talent scouts.
"(He's) just a highly-talented young man," Thorn told reporters on Thursday.
"He does some special things out there.
"There's no substitute for speed and he's just a natural footballer.
"You'd like to think having him in the (Reds) program, he's just going to flourish.
"He can kick goals, like a lot of Fijians - they're multi-talented. He's good in a ruck situation, he's a physical guy.
"It's great to have him on board and good reward for him. He's backed himself, come here, played club footy and got picked up.
"And he's a wonderful young man too."
Daugunu's addition means Thorn is now spoiled for choice on the wings.
The Reds already have fringe Wallabies Izaia Perese and Eto Nabuli on the books, as well as Chris Kuridrani and another highly-rated youngster in Jayden Ngumanu.
Meanwhile, the Reds have re-signed utility back Chris Feauai-Sautia for a seventh season.
Feauai-Sautia, 23, has hit good form in the NRC for Country after recovering from a season-long knee injury.
"His form's demanded attention," Thorn said.
"He's really come out of his shell, he's actually been a bit of a leader in that team.
"It's probably surprised a lot of people, he's a quiet sort of guy.
"He had a serious setback with that knee injury last year and had a lot of work to put in before he could get back to his damaging best.
"Hopefully he'll continue that strong form for the Reds next season."
