Giant winger Junior Ratuva has been signed by the Vodafone Warriors until the end of the 2022 NRL season.
After an outstanding schoolboy rugby union career, the 1.96cm, 110kg flyer spent time in the Melbourne Storm’s system in 2018 making an immediate impression as a prolific try scorer.
Highlights reels show the Fijian tearing defences apart with his combination of power, pace and ball-playing skills when he was with the Victorian Thunderbolts in the Queensland under-20 competition.
Vodafone Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan said Ratuva (21) has the ability to make a huge impact in rugby league.
“Junior is one of the best athletes I’ve come across in my time in footy,” he said.
“His progress has been hampered by injury but he’s now back in training and we expect him to develop into a high-class NRL player with some game time under his belt.
“Junior has worked really hard on his rehab and is primed to hit the ground running in 2021.”
Ratuva was originally brought to New Zealand from Cuvu College in Fiji to play rugby union for the King’s College First XV, where he excelled at lock or flanker.
His switch to rugby league immediately resulted in him being groomed as a winger.
JUNIOR RATUVA
Born: February 15, 1999
Birthplace: Fiji
Junior Club: King’s College (rugby union), Melbourne Storm
Position: Winger
Height: 196cm
Weight: 110kg
Previous Club: Melbourne Storm
