Manu Vatuvei

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Manu Vatuvei
150px
Vatuvei playing for the Warriors in 2013
Personal information
Nickname The Beast[1]
Born (1986-03-04) 4 March 1986 (age 38)
Auckland, New Zealand
Height 189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 112 kg (17 st 9 lb)
Playing information
Position Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004– NZ Warriors 210 146 0 0 584
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2005–15 New Zealand 29 22 0 0 88
2010–15 NRL All Stars 3 1 0 0 0
As of 21 June 2015
Source: [2]

Manu Vatuvei (/ˈmɑːnuː vʌtuːveɪ/; born 4 March 1986), is a New Zealand rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League competition. His position of choice is on the wing. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. Vatuvei is currently the Warriors' highest try scorer.

Early years

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, Vatuvei is of Tongan descent. Vatuvei grew up in the same Otara neighbourhood as Ruben Wiki and attended Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate. His cousin is Tongan-Japanese rugby union player Ruatangi Vatuvei. Vatuvei played for the Otara Scorpions and Otahuhu Leopards in Auckland Rugby League competitions before playing for the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards in the Bartercard Cup. When he was only 16 he joined the New Zealand Warriors development squad.[3]

Playing career

2004

Vatuvei made his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors in Round 11 of the 2004 NRL season against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on the wing in the Warriors 26-12 win at Sydney Football Stadium.[4] Vatuvei played in 5 matches in his debut year for the Warriors in the 2004 NRL season.

2005

In Round 4 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Mt Smart Stadium, Vatuvei scored his first NRL career try in the Warriors' 46-14 win.[5] Vatuvei finished the 2005 NRL season with him playing in 12 matches and scoring 9 tries for the Warriors. In the post season, Vatuvei made his international debut for New Zealand against Australia on the 16 October 2005. It was the opening game of the Tri-Nations, where the Kiwis beat the Kangaroos 38-28 at ANZ Stadium.[6] Vatuvei later went on to play in the 2005 Tri-Nations final, scoring two tries on the way to a 24–0 victory over Australia at Alfred McAlpine Stadium in Huddersfield.[7] Vatuvei played 5 matches and scored 3 tries in the series.

2006

Vatuvei finished the 2006 NRL season with him playing in 18 matches and scoring 10 tries for the Warriors. In the post season, Vatuvei was selected for the New Zealand 2006 Tri-Nations squad playing in 5 matches and scoring 2 tries in the series, including playing on the wing in the Kiwis 16-12 golden point extra time loss to Australia in the Tri Nations final at the SFS.[8]

2007

Vatuvei was selected to play for the New Zealand on the wing in the 2007 ANZAC Test match against Australia, scoring a try in the Kiwis 6-30 loss.[9] After playing in 23 matches, Vatuvei was joint top try scorer for the Warriors alongside Jerome Ropati and Michael Witt with 10 tries in the 2007 NRL season.

2008

In 2008 Vatuvei had his most consistent season to date, playing well and being a major strike-weapon for the Warriors. At times with his combination of pace and strength, only injury could stop him – and stop him it did, Vatuvei suffered a broken leg in Round 7 against the Gold Coast Titans in the Warriors 36-24 loss at Skilled Park.[10] Vatuvei however returned from injury to be a major force in the Warriors push for the playoffs. With the Warriors in a last round match away against the Parramatta Eels in Round 26 where they needed a win to qualify for the playoffs, Vatuvei scored a hat-trick of tries and was dominant in the high kicks, as the Warriors convincingly won 28–6 to qualify in 8th spot and book a match against minor premiers Melbourne Storm. The match against the Eels was a huge confidence booster for Vatuvei due to the fact that the last time he played at this venue, in Round 11 2007, he dropped many high kick bombs which led to tries and a 30–6 Warriors loss. In the finals series, Vatuvei turned on one of the best performances of his career when he played a huge role in the upset of minor premiers Melbourne Storm. The Warriors won 18–15 at Olympic Park, where the Storm had only lost twice in three seasons. Vatuvei scored one of the Warriors three tries and was denied another by a forward pass ruling. With the Warriors trailing 15–14 in the 78th minute, he received an offload from Jerome Ropati and busted several tackles over a run of 40m before passing to Michael Witt who sprinted 20m to score the match-winning try.[11] Vatuvei scored another try in the Warriors 30–13 elimination semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium,[12] the game that qualified the Warriors for the preliminary final against the Manly Sea Eagles, which they later lost 32-6 at SFS.[13] Vatuvei was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 World Cup. Vatuvei went on to star in the tournament, breaking New Zealand's World Cup record for most tries in a match with four against England. Vatuvei went on to play in the first New Zealand team to win the World Cup, defeating Australia in the final.[14][15] Vatuvei played in 5 matches and scored 4 tries in the tournament. Vatuvei was named International Winger of the year in 2008.[16]

2009

Vatuvei was selected to play for New Zealand on the wing in the 2009 ANZAC test match against Australia, scoring a try in the Kiwis 38-10 loss at Suncorp Stadium.[17] The Warriors failed to make the finals of the 2009 NRL Premiership, but Vatuvei finished the season as the club's top try-scorer with 13 tries in 19 matches in the 2009 NRL season.

2010

In 13 February 2010, Vatuvei played on the wing for the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in the inaugural 2010 All Stars match at Skilled Park in the All Stars' 16-12 loss.[18] In Round 13 against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium, Vatuvei played his 100th NRL career match in the Warriors' 20-22 loss.[19] In 24 August 2010, Vatuvei announced that he had extended his Warriors contract until the end of the 2013 season.[20] Vatuvei surpassed Stacey Jones' club record of 77 tries in the first week of play-off matches against the Gold Coast Titans; the Warriors lost the match 28-16 at Skilled Park.[21] Vatuvei was the Warriors highest tryscorer for the 4th year in a row with 20 tries in 19 matches in the 2010 NRL season. In the post season, Vatuvei was selected for the New Zealand 2010 Four Nations squad.[22]

2011

Vatuvei scored his 90th NRL try for the Warriors in the 2011 NRL Grand Final against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the Warriors 24-10 losing effort, Vatuvei's first and only Grand Final appearance to date.[23][24] Vatuvei was the Warriors highest tryscorer in the 5th year in a row with 12 tries in 19 matches in the 2011 NRL season. Vatuvei missed the 2011 Four Nations series after failing medical tests.[25]

2012

In 4 February 2012, Vatuvei played on the wing for the NRL All Stars against the Indigenous All Stars in the 2012 All Stars match at Skilled Park, scoring a try in the All Stars' 36-28 win.[26] Vatuvei was selected to play for New Zealand on the wing in the 2012 ANZAC Test match against Australia in the Kiwis 20-12 loss at Eden Park.[27] Due to an injury to captain Simon Mannering, Vatuvei captained the side for several games near the end of the 2012 NRL season between Rounds 21 and 25. In Round 24 against the Penrith Panthers at Mt Smart Stadium, Vatuvei played his 150th NRL career match in the Warriors 18-16 loss.[28] In Round 23 against the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium, Vatuvei became the first player to score 100 tries for the club, scoring a try in the Warriors shellacking 52-12 loss.[29] Along with Shaun Johnson and Konrad Hurrell, Vatuvei was the New Zealand Warriors season's top try-scorer with 12 tries in 20 matches in the 2012 NRL season. Vatuvei, usually the Kiwis regular winger, was not picked for the Kiwis October test Australia at 1300SMILES Stadium.

2013

On 8 May 2013, Vatuvei extended his contract with the Warriors to the end of the 2015 season.[30] Vatuvei was the Warriors highest tryscorer in the 7th year in a row with 16 tries in 19 matches in the 2013 NRL season. Vatuvei was selected for the New Zealand 2013 World Cup squad, In the Kiwis opening game of the 2013 World Cup, a 42-24 win against Samoa at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, Vatuvei scored a hat-trick.[31] Vatuvei played on wing in the Kiwis 34-2 World Cup final loss against Australia at Old Trafford.[32] Vatuvei played in 4 matches and scored 4 tries in the series.

2014

Vatuvei finished off the Warriors 2014 NRL season as the Warriors highest tryscorer for the year with 17 tries in 23 matches. On 7 October 2014, Vatuvei was selected in the New Zealand Kiwis' final 24 man squad for the 2014 Four Nations series.[33] In the Four Nations final against Australia, Vatuvei scored two tries. With his second he became the new all-time top try scorer for the Kiwis, breaking Nigel Vagana's record of 19, a record held since 2006.[34][35]

2015

On 16 January 2015, Vatuvei was named in the Warriors' 2015 Auckland Nines squad.[36] On 13 February 2015, Vatuvei was selected on the wing for the NRL All Stars for the 2015 All Stars match, a 20-6 loss to the Indigenous All Stars at Cbus Super Stadium.[37] In Round 6, against the Wests Tigers, Vatuvei played his 200th NRL game, scoring twice in the Warriors 32-22 win at Mt Smart Stadium.[38] In the following week in Round 7 against the North Queensland Cowboys, Vatuvei overtook Nigel Vagana as the most prolific New Zealand try scorer when he touched down for his 141st career try in the Warriors 28-24 loss at 1300SMILES Stadium.[39] Vatuvei was selected for New Zealand in the 2015 ANZAC Test against Australia on the wing, scoring a try in the Kiwis' 26-12 win at Suncorp Stadium.[40] In Round 14 against the Sydney Roosters, which the Warriors 25-21 lost at Mt Smart Stadium, Vatuvei became the first player in National Rugby League history to score at least 10 tries in 10 consecutive seasons.[41] In Round 22 against the St George Illawarra Dragons, Vatuvei suffered a season ending shoulder injury in the Warriors 36-0 loss at Westpac Stadium.[42] Vatuvei finished the 2015 NRL season with him playing in 16 matches and scoring 11 tries for the Warriors.

References

  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Manu Vatuvei rugbyleagueproject.org
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-05-23/warriors-win-battle-of-cellar-dwellers/1981066
  5. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Jones-leads-Warriors-to-big-win-over-bunnies/2005/04/03/1112489335975.html
  6. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/vagana-to-stay-alive-in-series-thanks-to-international-rules/2005/10/16/1129401145155.html
  7. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2005/nov/27/rugbyleague.trinations2005
  8. ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/nov/27/rugbyleague.sport
  9. ↑ http://leagueunlimited.com/news/australia-win-anzac-test-in-late-blitz
  10. ↑ Manu Vatuvei breaks leg The Herald Sun, 27 April 2008
  11. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/warriors-upset-storm-in-thriller/story-e6frf3sc-1111117480431
  12. ↑ http://leagueunlimited.com/news/warriors-demolish-roosters-to-continue-dream-run/?redo=1
  13. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/history-boosts-manlys-chances/story-e6frep8o-1111117609103
  14. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/3507194/New-Zealand-ride-their-luck-for-shock-World-Cup-final-victory-over-Australia-Rugby-League.html
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  17. ↑ http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/australia-beats-new-zealand-38-10-in-anzac-test-in-brisbane/story-e6frep5x-1225710449082
  18. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/indigenous-all-stars-win-historic-victory/story-e6frexnr-1225830078626
  19. ↑ http://m.nrl.com/dragons-edge-out-warriors-22-20/tabid/10874/newsid/58931/default.aspx
  20. ↑ http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-sport/vatuvei-resigns-with-warriors-20100824-13oov.html
  21. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/titans-v-warriors-minutebyminute-20100910-1555s.html
  22. ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4198067/Kiwi-squad-for-Four-Nations-announced
  23. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/in-2011-nrl-grand-final/story-e6frexnr-1226156196268
  24. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/manly-too-strong-for-the-warriors-as-they-win-2011-nrl-grand-final-24-10-at-anz-stadium/story-e6frf3ou-1226156147700
  25. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/new-zealand-rugby-league-team-lose-shaun-johnson-manu-vatuvei-and-steve-matai-for-australian-test-and-four-nations-tour/story-e6frexnr-1226161365094
  26. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl-all-stars-win-arthur-beetson-trophy-in-thriller/story-e6frg7mf-1226262783881
  27. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/lowdown-on-test-blockbuster/story-e6frexni-1226334489834
  28. ↑ http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/the-lowdown-warriors-v-panthers/story-e6frg6n6-1226453450261
  29. ↑ http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-rd-23-cowboys-v-warriors/story-e6frfgbo-1226448204641
  30. ↑ http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/warriors-re-sign-in-demand-winger-manu-vatuvei-for-further-two-years-tie-him-to-club-until-2015/story-fn2mcuj6-1226637526945
  31. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/rugby-league-world-cup-new-zealand-survive-samoan-fightback-20131027-2wa8w.html
  32. ↑ http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/article-2516064/Australia-34-New-Zealand-2-Kangaroos-crowned-world-champions.html
  33. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/four-rookies-in-kiwis-four-nations-squad/tabid/10874/newsid/82419/default.aspx
  34. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-2014-new-zealand-champions-after-defeating-australia-2218-in-wellington/story-fni3fbgz-1227124298670
  35. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/four-nations-2014-new-zealand-champions-after-defeating-australia-2218-in-wellington/story-fni3fbgz-1227124298670www.smh.com.au/it-pro/manu-vatuveis-breaks-kiwis-tryscoring-record-20141116-11nssz.html
  36. ↑ http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/warriors-2015-nines-squad/
  37. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/indigenous-all-stars-leave-it-late/tabid/10874/newsid/83833/default.aspx
  38. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/wests-tigers-overpowered-by-new-zealand-warriors-milestone-man-manu-vatuvei-20150411-1mj50m.html
  39. ↑ http://www.3news.co.nz/sport/video-cowboys-pip-warriors-at-the-death-28-24---nrl-2015041822#axzz3lmAvNdxh
  40. ↑ http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/new-zealand-kiwis-claim-third-straight-win-over-australian-kangaroos-for-first-time-since-1953-20150503-1mywnp.html
  41. ↑ http://www.nrl.com/vatuvei-credits-teammates-for-try-record/tabid/10874/newsid/87022/default.aspx
  42. ↑ http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/71256756/warriors-wing-manu-vatuvei-out-for-five-months-will-miss-kiwis-tour-to-england

External links

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