Manu Vatuvei
Encyclopedia
Manu Vatuvei is a New Zealand rugby league
player for the New Zealand Warriors
in the National Rugby League
competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei
. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
. Manu weighs 112 kg and stands at 189 cm tall. On Tuesday, 24 August it was announced that Vatuvei had extended his contract with the Warriors to the end of the 2013 season.
neighbourhood as Ruben Wiki
and attended Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
. He 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.
Vatuvei made his international debut against the Kangaroos on the 16 October 2005. It was the opening game of the 2005 Tri-Nations
, where the Kiwis
beat the Kangaroos at Telstra Stadium
. He later went on to play in the Tri-Nations
final, scoring two tries on the way to a 24–0 victory over the Kangaroos.
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 on 27 April.
He however returned from injury to be a major force in the Warriors push for the playoffs. With the Warriors in an away, last round, do-or-die match against Parramatta Eels 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 (2007) he dropped many high kick bombs which led to tries and a 6–30 Warriors loss. With this new found confidence and self-belief he had everything to gain in the match against the Storm, the reigning premiers.
Vatuvei turned on one of the best performances of his career as on the 14 September 2008 he played a huge role in the upset of minor premiers Melbourne Storm winning 18–15 at Olympic Park (where the Storm had only lost twice in three seasons). He 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.
Vatuvei scored another try in the Warriors 30–13 elimination semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters, a game that qualified the Warriors for the preliminary final against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Vatuvei was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Rugby League 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. He went on to play in the first New Zealand team to win the World Cup, defeating Australia in the final. Vatuvei's efforts were recognized as he was named International Winger of the year in 2008.
The Warriors failed to make the finals of the 2009 NRL Premiership, but Vatuvei finished the season as the club's top try-scorer.
In 2010 he announced that he had extended his Warriors contract until the end of the 2013 season.
He has also now surpassed Stacey Jones' top try record of 77, Manu Vatuvei (The Beast) scored his 78 try against the Titans on the 10 of September 2010 in the first play-off's match
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
competition. His position of choice is on the wing. He is the cousin of Japanese Rugby Union player Ruatangi Vatuvei
Ruatangi Vatuvei
Luatangi Samurai Vatuvei is a Tongan-born Japanese rugby union footballer.He used to play rugby in Japan for Toshiba Brave Lupus in the Top League and has also played for the Japan national rugby union team under the IRB three year residence qualification.Usually a second row but also used by...
. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand Kiwis squad that won the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
. Manu weighs 112 kg and stands at 189 cm tall. On Tuesday, 24 August it was announced that Vatuvei had extended his contract with the Warriors to the end of the 2013 season.
Early years
Manu Vatuvei or is heritage name Jayden Nolan, was born in New Zealand and is of Tongan heritage. He grew up in the same OtaraOtara
Ōtara is a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand, situated 18 kilometres to the southeast of the Auckland CBD. Ōtara lies near the head of the Tāmaki River , which extends south towards the Manukau Harbour...
neighbourhood as Ruben Wiki
Ruben Wiki
Ruben Wiki, ONZM is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A New Zealand international representative centre-turned-prop forward, he retired with the record for most number of international appearances of any rugby league player in history...
and attended Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate
Sir Edmund Hillary Collegiate is a school in Otara, New Zealand. The school was founded by its namesake, Sir Edmund Hillary.There are three distinct schools on the one campus. The Ministry of Education institution number for the senior school is shown in the box to the right...
. He played for the Otara Scorpions and Otahuhu Leopards
Otahuhu Leopards
The Otahuhu Leopards are a rugby league club based in Otahuhu, New Zealand. The club competes in the Fox Memorial competition run by the Auckland Rugby League. They are coached by Peter Caccioppoli. Between 2000 and 2003 they also competed in the Bartercard Cup.The team are the current holders of...
in Auckland Rugby League
Auckland Rugby League
The Auckland Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in the Auckland Region of New Zealand. It is responsible for rugby league in the region and was the owner of Carlaw Park, once the "spiritual home of rugby league in New Zealand".-History:The Auckland Rugby League was...
competitions before playing for the Otahuhu Ellerslie Leopards in the Bartercard Cup
Bartercard Cup
The Bartercard Cup was the top level rugby league club competition in New Zealand from 2000 until 2007. For the entire life of the tournament it was sponsored by Bartercard. The cup was administered by the New Zealand Rugby League...
. When he was only 16 he joined the New Zealand Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
development squad.
New Zealand Warriors
Vatuvei made his debut for the Warriors in Round 11, 2004 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.Vatuvei made his international debut against the Kangaroos on the 16 October 2005. It was the opening game of the 2005 Tri-Nations
2005 Rugby League Tri-Nations
New Zealand 38 defeated Australia 28 New Zealand 38 (C. Toopi 3, N. Cayless, N. Vangana, B. Webb tries; S. Jones 7 goals) defeated Australia 28 New Zealand 38 (C. Toopi 3, N. Cayless, N. Vangana, B. Webb tries; S. Jones 7 goals) defeated Australia 28 (B. Tate 2, M.Gasnier 2, M. King, A. Johns...
, where the Kiwis
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
beat the Kangaroos at Telstra Stadium
Telstra Stadium
Stadium Australia, currently also known as ANZ Stadium due to naming rights, formerly known as Telstra Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium located in the Sydney Olympic Park precinct of Homebush Bay...
. He later went on to play in the Tri-Nations
Rugby League Tri-Nations
The Rugby League Tri-Nations was a rugby league tournament involving the top three nations in the sport: Australia, Great Britain and New Zealand...
final, scoring two tries on the way to a 24–0 victory over the Kangaroos.
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 on 27 April.
He however returned from injury to be a major force in the Warriors push for the playoffs. With the Warriors in an away, last round, do-or-die match against Parramatta Eels 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
Melbourne Storm
The Melbourne Storm are an Australian professional rugby league club based in the city of Melbourne. They are the first fully professional rugby league team based in the Australian rules football-dominated state of Victoria....
.
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 (2007) he dropped many high kick bombs which led to tries and a 6–30 Warriors loss. With this new found confidence and self-belief he had everything to gain in the match against the Storm, the reigning premiers.
Vatuvei turned on one of the best performances of his career as on the 14 September 2008 he played a huge role in the upset of minor premiers Melbourne Storm winning 18–15 at Olympic Park (where the Storm had only lost twice in three seasons). He 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
Jerome Ropati
Jerome Ropati is a professional rugby league footballer for the New Zealand Warriors of the National Rugby League. Ropati was a member of the World Cup-winning New Zealand team in 2008...
and busted several tackles over a run of 40m before passing to Michael Witt
Michael Witt
Michael Witt is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the Harlequins RL in the Super League...
who sprinted 20m to score the match-winning try.
Vatuvei scored another try in the Warriors 30–13 elimination semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters, a game that qualified the Warriors for the preliminary final against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Vatuvei was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
. 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. He went on to play in the first New Zealand team to win the World Cup, defeating Australia in the final. Vatuvei's efforts were recognized as he was named International Winger of the year in 2008.
The Warriors failed to make the finals of the 2009 NRL Premiership, but Vatuvei finished the season as the club's top try-scorer.
In 2010 he announced that he had extended his Warriors contract until the end of the 2013 season.
He has also now surpassed Stacey Jones' top try record of 77, Manu Vatuvei (The Beast) scored his 78 try against the Titans on the 10 of September 2010 in the first play-off's match