Vunivalu comes a long way as NRL Grand Final hypes up

The NRL Grand Final can be a daunting prospect for any player — let alone one who has played less than 50 games of rugby league in his life — but Melbourne winger Suliasi Vunivalu has come a long way in 2016.

The 20‑year‑old started the season well down the pecking order at the Storm but finished it as the NRL's top try scorer.

Vunivalu is still coming to terms with his rapid rise.

Born and raised in Fiji, Vunivalu moved to New Zealand when he was 16 to play rugby union at the prestigious Auckland school St Kentigern College.

He caught the eye of the Storm scouts who signed him, confident he could make the switch to rugby league.