In another positive step towards future success, the St.George Queensland Reds have re-signed electric winger Filipo Daugunu for a further four years.
The Fijian flyer becomes the 14th player to re-commit to Queensland on a long-term deal, that will see him stay at Ballymore through 2023.
After bursting onto the Super Rugby scene in 2018, he scored six tries in his debut season and now boasts 21 caps for Queensland.
Reds winger Daugunu said: "I'm very happy to stay at Queensland.
“I've got a lot of good friends here. We've developed strong bonds together. We're a big family at the Reds and I want to be a part of future success here.”
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “It’s great to see Filipo Daugunu stay in Queensland for another four years.
“He’s an amazing athlete. He’s powerful and has great agility. Filipo’s attacking ability has come a long way, but his biggest improvement has been his work in defence.
“Filipo’s come through the NRC with Queensland Country and continues to contribute to our program.”
Daugunu moved to Australia from Fiji ahead of the 2017 Queensland Premier Rugby season to chase his dream of earning a professional Rugby contract.
In his first year at Wests, he scored 11 tries in 13 games, as the Bulldogs secured their first finals appearance in 10 years.
He then capped-off 2017 as the leading try-scorer in the National Rugby Championship (NRC), helping Bond University Queensland Country to their first title with a hat-trick against Canberra in the final.
His irresistible form in the NRC was rewarded with a Reds contract for the 2018 Super Rugby season and it wasn’t long before Daugunu showed Queensland fans his true potential, after debuting for the Reds in Round 1 against the Rebels in Melbourne.
He used the 2018 Super Rugby season as his own personal highlights reel, scoring a total of 37 points, including six tries.
The following year his impact was limited to seven Super Rugby matches after breaking his arm against the Stormers in Round 8, and he was consequently sidelined for six games during the 2019 season.
After living in Australia for the past three consecutive years, Daugunu became eligible to be selected for Australian teams last week.
