‘Crazy couple of years’: How freakish Warriors flyer ended up playing rugby for the Reds

As the New Zealand Warriors attempt to keep their NRL season alive and avenge their qualifying final defeat to the Dolphins, one of the most enigmatic try-scorers in the club’s history will launch a new chapter in a rival code.

David Fusitu’a has been quietly plying his trade in rugby union, far removed from the spotlight, having made the move to Brisbane, where he has spent two seasons with Brothers, winning the Hospital Cup premiership this year in the process.

Now he has been called into the Queensland Reds’ fold for their forthcoming Super Rugby Australia clash with the New South Wales Waratahs.

The 31-year-old 106-kilogram flyer played 106 games for the Warriors – scoring 61 tries, many with some freakish, air-defying finishes – before departing for the English Super League for three years with Leeds Rhinos. He also managed nine Test caps for Tonga and two for New Zealand.

Fusitu’a admits that when he drew the curtain on his England venture, he felt he still had something to offer on the field. Eager to give the 15-man game a try, he consulted a friend in New Zealand, who linked him up with Brothers.

But while a comeback to professional football full-time was not on his radar for now, Fusitu’a was quick to answer a “surprise” SOS from new Reds coach Vern Cotter, and will line up at outside-centre for his new side at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Roma this weekend.

“It’s been a crazy couple of years,” Fusitu’a said. “I finished up in England with Leeds Rhinos and moved back to this side of the world. I knew I wanted to give rugby a crack, and just by chance, I ended up here in Brisbane.

“It’s obviously a weird time when you’re adjusting to life after professional rugby, and I would always think to myself during rugby, ‘Is there something else I’m passionate about outside rugby?’

“I’ve found it in youth work lately, and have enjoyed giving back to kids in need, but also spending a bit more time with the family and being able to give back to them.”

Fusitu’a will be joined in the Reds’ squad by former Wallabies flyer Sefa Naivalu, as Cotter ushers in reinforcements to cover injuries to Izaia Perese (calf), Josh Flook (torn achilles), and Lachie Anderson (facial fracture) in the aftermath of the club’s 29-28 defeat to the Western Force.

But even with a new challenge ahead of him, Fusitu’a could not resist looking towards what awaits his old Warriors teammates on Sunday night, when they square off in an elimination semi-final against Newcastle at Eden Park.

New Zealand had the chance to lock in a preliminary final last weekend, after they led 16-8 deep into the second half, only to succumb to a Herbie Farnworth-inspired Dolphins comeback.

“It definitely wasn’t the result I’m sure the boys were wanting, and us fans, but they get another chance. I’m a big Warriors supporter, I obviously played there and am still a big supporter of the boys and have a good few mates who are running around there,” Fusitu’a said.

“Players like Chanel Harris-Tavita are still running around. He was still quite young at the time when I was there, but he’s come through the system, and it’ll be very special for him.

“They’ve still got to get the job done, but I have big belief in that squad and what they’re building.”

The Reds’ looming match will be the first time this year five-eighth Tom Lynagh will play back-to-back games, after a hamstring issue and illness limited him to barely 18 minutes of Super Rugby in 2026.

The 23-year-old, who last year was the Wallabies’ first-choice No.10 against the British and Irish Lions, impressed with his kicking game during a 40-minute stint against the Force, leading Queensland to a 28-12 half-time lead before being subbed off in a bid to ease him back into action.

“Personally, it was a great feeling getting back out there. It’s been a tough 12 months … there’s been a lot of work done by the medical staff and physio team, and trust put into me,” Lynagh said.

“To be honest, I didn’t have many expectations coming into the game. I didn’t want to overplay my hand, I just wanted to do my role and be physical.

“I feel like I did that.”

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