Following a four-year stint playing in Japanese rugby and a season with the NSW Waratahs in 2022, 26-year-old Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco now has his eyes on contributing to the Two Blues Shute Shield Campaign in 2023.
“I am really excited about 2023 after a year trying to manage a chronic hip injury. I have just moved to Western Sydney with my family and I am looking forward to making a big contribution on and off the field for the Two Blues.”
Warren-Vosayaco is a powerful 105kg, 188cm back-rower who returned from injury with a bang for the Waratahs in 2022 in their win over the Drua. In a 20-minute spell off the bench, he made a bone-rattling hit and laid on a try from a scrumbase run.
Injury restricted Warren-Vosayaco’s time on the field for the Waratahs in 2022 to four appearances but things are looking up for 2023. In late 2022, Rahboni underwent successful surgery on his hip, which will see him ready for the start of the 2023 Shute Shield Season.
“The hip feels great – the best it has felt in a long time. I am grateful for the chance to get back playing Club footy with the Two Blues. When the Club approached me about playing I felt it was a natural fit for me. The players are back in pre-season training, and it’s been great to meet the boys and the other coaches at the Club. Everyone has been very welcoming and supportive.”
In 2013, Rahboni made the 2013 Australian Schoolboys team as a No.8. But after a few club seasons in Sydney and with no bites in Super Rugby, he accepted an offer to play for Rob Penney in Japan at NTT Shining Arcs in 2015.
Warren-Vosayaco also played for Japan’s Super Rugby team, the Sunwolves, and his strength, speed and skill caught the eye of national coach Jamie Joseph.
Joseph picked Warren-Vosayaco in his Brave Blossoms squad for their home World Cup in 2019. But with Warren-Vosayaco’s eligibility for Japan under review at the time, the plan came undone when World Rugby rejected his residency application.
There are plenty keen to see the big back-rower put together some game time, not least Wallabies coach Dave Rennie. Rugby Australia tipped a little in the bucket as top-up to get Warren-Vosayaco home in 2022 and view him as an X-factor talent.
Two Blues Head Coach, Sailosi Tagicakibau said “Rahboni is a quality player and a quality person. We expect he will make a big contribution to the Two Blues next season. He is a seasoned professional Rugby player with aspirations to play for the Wallabies. We are excited to help him on his journey and see him be as successful as he can. He will be great for our younger players too – someone to look up to and learn from – that is very important for our development as a Club.”
The Two Blues will kick off their Shute Shield Campaign on Saturday 1 April against West Harbour at Concord Oval. For more details about the 2023 Season, please follow this link here
