Cult footy star who cracked the NRL while working as a garbage collector resurfaces on Netflix reality show in full kit - nine years after retiring
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Eloni Vunakece played almost twice as many games for his country as he did in the NRL, but that doesn't stop him being one of the code's great cult figures.
The former Fiji representative who played nine matches for the Sydney Roosters in 2016, quickly became a cult figure for his distinctive personality, striking hair and fearless playing style in the NRL.
Fans admired his toughness on the field and humility off it, especially as he balanced his rugby league career with working as a garbage collector.
His authenticity, charity work and later TV appearances, including on Australian Ninja Warrior, cemented his unique status as a fan favourite.
That gave Vunakece a taste for reality television, also appearing on the sixth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia in 2022.
After his team lost a food delivery challenge, he was sent to the boardroom and became one of the season's early eliminations.
Eloni Vunakece is competing as part of Team Australia under captain and former UFC star Robert Whittaker
Vunakece was a cult figure in the NRL after earning nine first grade matches while working as a garbo
Vunakece is now competing in his third reality television show, after also appearing on NInja Warrior Australia and Celebrity Apprentice Australia
He later returned through the Redemption Challenge and went on to serve as Project Manager in a car-boot sale task, where his team raised more than $65,000 for charity - one of the standout fundraising efforts of the season.
Now he has appeared on the latest season of Physical Asia: Korea - including a scene where he wore his Sydney Roosters jersey eight years since he last played first grade.
The latest season of Physical: Asia also includes UFC veterans Robert Whittaker, Dong-hyun Kim, Yushin Okami, ONE Championship's Superbon and Enkh-Orgil Baatarkhuu, plus boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao.
The format of the show sees athletes from countries including Australia, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Indonesia, Thailand, Turkey and the Philippines team up or compete for national pride.
It maintains the 'tournament' style of Physical: 100 with elimination challenges drawing on strength, endurance, agility and teamwork across large-scale set pieces.
The inclusion of Australia in the Asia-wide competition sparked commentary and some debate among viewers about regional definitions and representation.
Vunakece is joined by two-time winner of Australia's Strongest Man competition Eddie Williams, parkour and freerunning athlete Dom Tomatofitness coach, influencer, and former competitive cheerleader Alexandra Milne, former professional hockey player Katelin van Zyl and team captain Whittaker on Team Australia.
Physical: Asia premiered globally on October 28.
Daily Mail
