Filipo Daugunu might feel more at home out wide than outside centre but the bulked-up Queenslander is fast becoming a problem for rival midfielders.
A starting Wallabies winger in 2024 before a fractured fibula cut short his Test season, Daugunu has stepped into the Reds' 13 jersey with aplomb following Josh Flook's Round 3 hamstring injury.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
Daugunu crossed twice against the Highlanders in last week's 29-23 victory to take his season tally to five and has been among Queensland's most dominant attacking weapons with six clean breaks, 12 tackle busts and five offloads.
"I'm just covering (Josh Flook)'s position and I try my best," Daugunu told reporters this week.
"Hopefully he comes back and I'll move back to wing but the coaches believe in me to step up in that (centre) position."
Daugunu's strength in contact has set him apart during the opening six rounds of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific with the Fijian-born flyer revealing he's piled on the pounds since linking back up with Queensland.
"Back then (when I first started) I was like 89kg but now I'm 101kgs - when you play outside centre you nee a little more weight on you.
"I love the physicality during the game. I've not the speed that I had before but I feel like I can do more on field, so I'm comfortable with the weight and feeling fit every week."
Despite being Joe Schmidt's first-choice winger prior to last year's TRC injury setback, Daugunu wouldn't be drawn on his Wallabies ambitions for 2025, telling reporters he's focused on the short-term with Queensland.
"I'm just focused on the Reds, trying to play and win week after week. Last year, that injury happened and those things happen but I'm good now and I'll just do my best with Reds and see how it goes," Daugunu said.
"Hopefully if given the chance to play the Lions it'd' be pretty special so if I had the opportunity to play, I'll be ready."
The third-placed Reds host sixth-placed Western Force on Saturday night at Suncorp Stadium.
