Eloni Vunakece

Eloni Vunakece (born 27 May 1987) is a former Fiji international rugby league footballer who played as a for the Sydney Roosters in the NRL. He also played for Toulouse Olympique XIII in the French Elite One Championship.

Background Vunakece was born in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to a Fijian father, Meli, from Tavua and an Australian mother Julie Young from St Arnaud, Victoria. He played his junior rugby league for the Holy Cross Rhinos and Leichhardt Wanderers, before being signed by the Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers.

Vunakece is married with four children.

Playing career Early career From 2006 to 2011, Vunakece played for the Balmain Ryde-Eastwood Tigers, while also having a stint with the Western Suburbs Magpies New South Wales Cup side in 2011. In September 2011, he signed a 1-year contract with French team Toulouse Olympique in the Elite One Championship. In 2012, he re-signed with Toulouse on a 1-year contract.

2013 In April, Vunakece played in two games for Toulouse in the 2013 Challenge Cup, scoring 2 tries. At the conclusion of the 2012/2013 Elite One Championship season, he returned to Australia to play with the Wyong Roos in the New South Wales Cup. In October and November, he played 5 games for Fiji in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, scoring 1 try.

2015 On 2 May, Vunakece played for Fiji against Papua New Guinea in the 2015 Melanesian Cup. At the end of the 2015 season, he got the chance to join the Sydney Roosters first-grade squad for the 2016 pre-season.

2016 In round 4 of the 2016 NRL season, Vunakece made his NRL debut for the Sydney Roosters against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. On 7 May, he again played for Fiji against Papua New Guinea in the 2016 Melanesian Cup, where he played at lock and scored a try. In September, he was named at prop in the 2016 Intrust Super Premiership NSW Team of the Year.

2017 On 28 August 2017, Vunakece was named at Prop in the 2017 Intrust Super Premiership NSW team of the year.

Post rugby league and Reality TV In September 2018, Vunakece announced his retirement from rugby league. He has been working for the council as a garbage collector and also doing some modelling. He also donated his brain, currently as a living participant in post-concussion cognitive research. Vunakece competed in the Australian Ninja Warrior (season 3). He returned in seasons 4 and 5.

Vunakece will appear as a contestant on the sixth season of The Celebrity Apprentice Australia.

Filmography Web shows Year Title Role Notes 2025 Physical: Asia Contestant Team Australia