Manu Vatuvei

Manu 'The Beast' Vatuvei (born 4 March 1986), also known by the nickname of "The Beast",[3] is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who was both a Tonga and New Zealand international representative wing. He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the NRL and for the Salford Red Devils in the Super League. Vatuvei was a member of the New Zealand national team that won the 2008 World Cup.[2] He became the Warriors' top try scorer, and became the first player in NRL history to score at least 10 tries in 10 consecutive seasons.[4]

Manu Vatuvei
Personal information
Born (1986-03-04) 4 March 1986
Auckland, New Zealand
Playing information
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight112 kg (17 st 9 lb; 247 lb)
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2004–17 New Zealand Warriors 226 152 0 0 608
2017–18 Salford Red Devils 8 5 0 0 20
Total 234 157 0 0 628
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 4
2017 Tonga 2 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2]

Early years

Born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 4 March 1986, Vatuvei is of Tongan descent. He 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.[5]

Playing career

2004

Vatuvei made his NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors in Round 11 against the South Sydney Rabbitohs on the wing in the Warriors 26–12 win at Sydney Football Stadium.[6] He played in 5 matches in his debut year.

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.[7] Vatuvei finished the year 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 16 October 2005. It was the opening game of the Tri-Nations, where the Kiwis beat the Kangaroos 38–28 at ANZ Stadium.[8] 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 Elland Road Stadium in Leeds.[9] Vatuvei played 5 matches and scored 3 tries in the series.

2006

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

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.[11] 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

Suffering a broken leg in Round 7 against the Gold Coast Titans,[12] Vatuvei returned from injury to help the Warriors push for the playoffs. Needing to beat the Eels in the last round of the regular season, Vatuvei scored a hat-trick of tries, as the Warriors convincingly won 28–6 to qualify in 8th spot and book a match against minor premiers Melbourne Storm. In the finals series, 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.[13] Vatuvei scored another try in the Warriors 30–13 elimination semi-final victory over the Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium,[14] the game that qualified the Warriors for the preliminary final against the Manly Sea Eagles, which they later lost 32–6 at SFS.[15]

Vatuvei was named in the New Zealand squad for the 2008 World Cup. He 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.[16][17] Vatuvei played in 5 matches and scored 4 tries in the tournament. He was named International Winger of the year in 2008.[18]

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 38–10 loss.[19] The Warriors failed to make the finals, but Vatuvei finished the season as the club's top try-scorer with 13 tries in 19 matches in the 2009 NRL season.

2010

On 13 February, Vatuvei played for the NRL All Stars in the inaugural All Stars match at Skilled Park.[20] In Round 13 against the St George Illawarra Dragons at Mt Smart Stadium, Vatuvei played his 100th NRL career match as the Warriors lost 20–22.[21] On 24 August, Vatuvei announced that he had extended his Warriors contract until the end of the 2013 season.[22] 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.[23] He was the Warriors highest tryscorer for the 4th year in a row with 20 tries in 19 matches. In the post season, Vatuvei was selected for the New Zealand Four Nations squad.[24]

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.[25][26] He was the Warriors highest tryscorer for the 5th year in a row with 12 tries in 19 matches. Vatuvei missed the 2011 Four Nations series after failing medical tests.[27]

2012

On 4 February, Vatuvei played for the NRL All Stars in the 2012 All Stars match, scoring a try in the All Stars' 36–28 win.[28] He played for New Zealand in the 2012 Anzac Test match as the Kiwis lost 12–20.[29] Due to an injury to captain Simon Mannering, Vatuvei captained the side for several games 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.[30] In Round 23 against the North Queensland Cowboys at 1300SMILES Stadium, Vatuvei became the first player to score 100 tries for the club, in the Warriors shellacking 52–12 loss.[31] 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 2012. Vatuvei, usually the Kiwis winger, was not picked for the October test against Australia.

Vatuvei playing for the Warriors in 2013

2013

On 8 May, Vatuvei extended his contract with the Warriors to the end of the 2015 season.[32] He was the Warriors highest tryscorer for the 7th year in a row with 16 tries in 19 matches. Vatuvei was selected for the New Zealand World Cup squad. In the Kiwis opening game, a 42–24 victory over Samoa at Halliwell Jones Stadium in Warrington, Vatuvei scored a hat-trick.[33] Vatuvei played in the Kiwis 34–2 World Cup final loss against Australia at Old Trafford.[34] He 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.[35] 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.[36]

2015

In the pre-season, Vatuvei played in the Warriors' Auckland Nines.[37] On 13 February, Vatuvei was played for the NRL All Stars in the 2015 All Stars match, a 20–6 loss to the Indigenous All Stars.[38] 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.[39] In the following week 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.[40]

Vatuvei was selected for New Zealand in the 2015 Anzac Test, scoring a try in the Kiwis' 26–12 win.[41] In Round 14 against the Sydney Roosters, Vatuvei became the first player in NRL history to score at least 10 tries in 10 consecutive seasons.[42] He suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in round 22,.[43] Finishing the season with 16 matches and 11 tries for the Warriors.

2016

In 2016, Vatuvei scored his 150th first grade try, the 11th player to do so.

2017

On 6 May, Vatuvei made his debut for Mate Ma'a Tonga and scored a try in the 6th minute of the match in Tonga's 26–24 victory over Fiji at Campbelltown in the 2017 Pacific Test Triple Header. On 10 July, Vatuvei was released from his contract with the New Zealand Warriors and signed a deal with Salford Red Devils.. His last appearance for the Warriors was on 14 July 2017, in an emotional farewell at Mt Smart Stadium, temporarily renamed Manu Vatuvei Stadium for the match. Although he couldn't play in the match due to his new contract with Salford, he was given a team jersey and watched the match from the sidelines, often interacting with fans. Vatuvei announced his well rumoured retirement on social media on 15 July 2019; explaining the delay in his decision was due to being unable to accept that his time was up.

Boxing
Manu Vatuvei
Statistics
Nickname(s)The Beast
Weight(s)126.4 kg (279 lb)
Height189 cm (6 ft 2 in)
NationalityNew Zealand
Born (1986-03-04) 4 March 1986
Auckland, New Zealand
Boxing record
Total fights1
Wins1
Wins by KO1
Losses0
Draws0

Vatuvei made his boxing debut in the corporate division to raise money for The Prostate Cancer Foundation of NZ on 15 December 2012. He took on Olympic Gold medalist Eric Murray.[44] Vatuvei won the bout by unanimous decision.[45] In November 2018, it was announced that Vatuvei would make his pro boxing debut against Brown Buttabean David Letele. This fight happened exactly six years after his corporate bout.[46] Vatuvei won the bout by Knockout in the first round. Letele announced his retirement after the bout.[47] For the majority of his boxing bouts, Vatuvei was trained by Monty Betham at Boxing Alley in Auckland, New Zealand.[48]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
1 fight 1 win 0 losses
By knockout 1 0
By decision 0 0
Draws 0

[49]

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
1 Win 1–0 David Letele KO 1 (4), 0:28 15 December 2018 Horncastle Arena, Christchurch, New Zealand professional debut

Dancing

In 2019 Vatuvei won Dancing With the Stars in a triumphant, dominant performance.[50]

References
  1. loverugbyleague
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. Lawton, Aaron (16 May 2010). "'The Beast' Manu on NFL radar". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 29 January 2011.
  4. "Warriors star's heartbreak: I nearly quit for my family". nzherald.co.nz. 28 May 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. Hewitson, Michele (27 March 2010). "Michele Hewitson Interview: Manu Vatuvei". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  6. Joel Zander. "Warriors win battle of cellar dwellers". ABC News. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  7. "Jones leads Warriors to big win over bunnies". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  8. "Vagana to stay alive in series thanks to international rules". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  9. David Lawrenson. "Rugby league: Australia 0–24 New Zealand". the Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  10. Gareth Walker. "Rugby league: Tri-Nations final: Australia 16–12 New Zealand". the Guardian. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  11. Steven Williams. "Australia win Anzac Test in late blitz". League Unlimited. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  12. Manu Vatuvei breaks leg The Herald Sun, 27 April 2008
  13. Melissa Woods (14 March 2016). "Warriors upset Storm in thriller". Fox Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  14. Tim Costello. "Warriors demolish Roosters to continue dream run". League Unlimited. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  15. Matt Marshall. "Sea Eagles prepare for Melbourne Storm in grand final". Courier Mail.
  16. "Kiwis to wait on Webb and Matai". BBC. 7 October 2008. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
  17. David Burke (23 November 2008). "New Zealand ride their luck for shock World Cup final victory over Australia". Telegraph.co.uk. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  18. "Vatuvei international winger of the year". Television New Zealand. NZPA. 18 November 2008. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  19. Andrew Webster. "Australia beats New Zealand 38–10 in Anzac Test in Brisbane". Courier Mail.
  20. "Indigenous All Stars win historic victory". Daily Telegraph.
  21. "Dragons edge out Warriors 22–20". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  22. "Vatuvei re-signs with Warriors". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  23. "Titans V Warriors: Minute-by-minute". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  24. "Kiwi squad for Four Nations announced". Stuff. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  25. "2011 NRL Grand Final". Daily Telegraph.
  26. David Beniuk (14 March 2016). "Manly too strong for the Warriors as they win 2011 NRL grand final 24–10 at ANZ Stadium". Fox Sports. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
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  28. "NRL All Stars win Arthur Beetson Trophy in thriller". The Australian. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  29. "Lowdown on test blockbuster". Daily Telegraph.
  30. "The Lowdown Warriors v Panthers". The Australian. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  31. Peter Badel. "Johnathan Thurston and Michael Morgan lead Cowboys in rout of Warriors". Sun Herald.
  32. "Warriors re-sign in-demand winger Manu Vatuvei for further two years, tie him to club until 2015". Fox Sports. 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  33. "Rugby League World Cup: New Zealand survive Samoan fightback". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  34. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/25168674
  35. "Four rookies in Kiwis Four Nations squad". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  36. "New Zealand champions after defeating Australia 22–18 in Wellington". Daily Telegraph.
  37. "WARRIORS NAME 2015 NINES SQUAD". Rugby League Week. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  38. "Indigenous All Stars leave it late". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  39. "Wests Tigers overpowered by New Zealand Warriors milestone man Manu Vatuvei". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  40. "Video: Cowboys pip Warriors at the death 28 24". Newshub. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  41. "New Zealand Kiwis claim third straight win over Australian Kangaroos for first time since 1953". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  42. "Vatuvei credits teammates for try record". NRL.com. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  43. DAVID LONG (19 August 2015). "Warriors wing Manu Vatuvei out for five months, will miss Kiwis tour to England". Stuff. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  44. "Manu Vatuvei serious about pro boxing career as he eyes options for league return". Stuff News. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  45. "Manu Vatuvei v Eric Murray Fight for Life 2012". Youtube. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  46. "Boxing: Warriors legend Manu Vatuvei set to fight on Joseph Parker's undercard". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  47. "Ex-Warrior Manu Vatuvei knocks out Dave Letele on pro debut". Stuff News. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  48. "Boxing: You have to destroy the other person: warning for the Beast". New Zealand Herald. 9 December 2012.
  49. "Manu Vatuvei". BoxRec. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  50. https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2019/06/rugby-league-dancing-with-the-stars-winner-manu-vatuvei-s-fire-still-burns-for-professional-career.html
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