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Ex Kiwi returns to NRL

Beavers Headgear

Beavers Headgear

Coach
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10,047
http://www.manlyseaeagles.com.au/news.asp?tx=39&newsid=2739

Vaealiki signs for the Sea Eagles
26/11/2007
By Manly Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles are proud to announce the signing of David Vaealiki to a one year deal.

Vaealiki comes to the Sea Eagles after spending 3 years with the Wigan Warriors. He is a New Zealand junior who has played seven tests for his country and also played in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. His NRL debut was with the Parramatta Eels in 1999 and played 93 games for the club including a Grand Final appearance in 2001.

Vaealiki usually plays in the centres but has also played fullback for both the Wigan Warriors and New Zealand.

David and his family have recently moved to the area and we would like to welcome them to the Sea Eagles.

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Will be interesting to see what level he is playing at these days, hasn't been around the Kiwis squad for a while but centre isn't the strongest position at the moment for the Kiwis. He may have a problem finding time in 1st grade though with Stewart,Matai and Bell in his spots.
 
ozbash

ozbash

Referee
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26,922
I reckon Dave is a much better player than Matai ever will be.

good luck to him.
 
N

nadera78

Juniors
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2,233
He's been very poor over here, in a very ordinary Wigan team. He was being linked with various teams but no-one wanted him.
 
Skinner

Skinner

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13,581
nadera78 said:
He's been very poor over here, in a very ordinary Wigan team. He was being linked with various teams but no-one wanted him.
Click to expand...

That probably means he's about to have his best season yet....
 
Iafeta

Iafeta

Referee
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24,357
Has a few defensive weaknesses, he was at his best in 2001 and then tapered off. He'll go down as one of the great "what ever happened to my career" trivia night discussions.
 
Beavers Headgear

Beavers Headgear

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New Sea Eagle Vaealiki eyes Test recall


November 27, 2007 - 3:30PM
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/New-Sea-E...6036871941.html

David Vaealiki is hoping to resurrect his Test career when he makes his NRL comeback with Manly next season.

Vaealiki was a conspicuous addition to the Eagles' squad when the 2007 grand final runners-up resumed training in Sydney on Tuesday.

He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after spending the past three seasons with Wigan in the English Super League.

The just-turned 27-year-old had planned to play rugby in the south of France until his deal with Sporting Club Albigeois broke down at the l1th hour.

Having been in long-distant negotiations with Manly coach Des Hasler since midway through 2007, the Eagles had no hesitation in offering Vaealiki a short-term contract.

And, with family in Sydney's northern beaches, the former Parramatta grand final centre jumped at the opportunity to return to the NRL.

Now he is hoping it will serve as a stepping stone to a recall to the New Zealand Test side.

"That's the main reason why I have come back - I want to play for New Zealand again," Vaealiki said.

"Playing Test football is something I would love to do again."

A member of New Zealand's 2000 World Cup team, Vaealiki played the last of his seven Tests in 2003.

"Obviously, I'd love to play Test football but obviously I've got to make the (Manly) side first because it's a strong side and there's going to be a lot of competition for places," he said.

Vaealiki will be competing with specialist try poacher Steve Bell and fellow Kiwi Steve Matai - and possibly even former Eels centre partner Jamie Lyon - for a place in the Eagles' backline midfield.

Lyon spent much of 2007 at five-eighth but Vaealiki said he would love to strike up another prosperous combination with his ex-teammate, who terrorised opposition team's during Parramatta's record-breaking 2001 season.

Although the Eels ultimately lost the grand final to Newcastle, they finished minor premiers and set all sorts of pointscoring records with Lyon and Vaealiki prominent.

"The things he can do always complement a centre or a winger, so it would be excellent to play with him and hopefully we get that chance," Vaealiki said.

Vaealiki believed he had returned from England a more mature player.

"You always change a little bit as a player, but you do become a bit wiser and a bit smarter about what to do on the field and what not to do on the field," he said.

"I've obviously grown older and a bit more wiser about looking after myself.

"It's a tough game and you have to play week in, week out and you play 36 games over there (in England), which is a big ask, and you learn to get through the pain and just get on.

"I always wanted to do my stint in England, but I always wanted to come back to the NRL.

"It's been a great opportunity to be able to come back and try to prove myself."

Hasler will consider Vaealiki as a utility back equally at home at fullback or on the wing.

"I prefer the centres. It suits my body type and my game," Vaealiki said.

"But I've just got to get into the team first before I consolidate a position.

"So that's going to be a tough one. I've just got to wait to get my opportunity.

"That's what I'm hoping to do. I wouldn't come here if I didn't think I could do it.

"I'd stay in the Super League or go elsewhere."

© 2007 AAP
 
M

mean

Juniors
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560
Always a sign of a good buy when a player who's played league for most of his life wants to change to a game where he probably touches the ball 75% less and makes 80% less tackles.
 
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