Suliasi Vunivalu is expected to depart Australia for France's Top 14 competition after the seven-cap Wallaby wasn't named in Queensland's 2025 Super Rugby Pacific squad.
It follows recent French media reports linking him to Will Skelton's club La Rochelle.
Keep up to date with all the Super Rugby Pacific squad news here.
Vunivalu's high-profile code switch from rugby league’s Melbourne Storm, with whom he won two NRL titles, drew plenty of eyes back in 2021.
However the Fijian-born flyer never quite found his feet in the 15-a-side game, battling injury and form slumps in a competitive Reds outside backs unit further bolstered by off-season signings.
While the departures of Mac Grealy (Western Force) and Floyd Aubrey (Souths Logan Magpies) may have elevated Vunivalu’s bid, the signatures of Mason Gordon, Filipo Daugunu and Lachie Anderson spelt trouble out wide with Jock Campbell and Tim Ryan also under contract.
Those pressures aren't just limited to the back three - second rower Taine Roiri is also seeking a new club after the signatures of Wallaby locks Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakai-Loto.
Meanwhile keen-eyed Shute Shield pundits will note the listing of Norths playmaker Jude Gibbs, who's set to offer playmaking depth behind the likes of Tom Lynagh and Harry McLaughlin-Phillips.
In a statement, Less Kiss said: “We continue to evolve our squad and increase our depth and options for what will be another challenging Super Rugby Pacific season."
“This is an ambitious group that knows working hard is the only way to bring out the best of their abilities in a fantastic competition.
“We need to be ready for everything Super Rugby throws at you and that starts on the training field, in the gym and in our team meetings.”
“Jude has played finals with Norths for the past two seasons in Sydney. He is a versatile player capable of playing flyhalf, inside centre and fullback. He has a great kicking game and is an impeccable goalkicker,” Kiss added on Gibbs.
REDS 2025 SUPER RUGBY PACIFIC SQUAD
Forwards: Josh Nasser, Sef Fa’agase, Liam Wright, Ryan Smith, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, George Blake, Angus Blyth, Fraser McReight, Connor Vest, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru, Joe Brial, Matt Faessler, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Alex Hodgman, Josh Canham, John Bryant, Trevor King, Max Craig, Matt Gibbon, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
Backs: Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Mason Gordon, Jock Campbell, Frankie Goldsbrough, Tate McDermott, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Louis Werchon, Tom Lynagh, Kalani Thomas, Isaac Henry, Filipo Daugunu, Tim Ryan, Will McCulloch, Dre Pakeho, Jude Gibbs, Lachie Anderson
