David Vaealiki

David Vaealiki

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Vaealiki playing for Wigan in 2007
Personal information
Full name	David Ioane Vaealiki
Nickname	Freshy
Born	(1980-11-13) 13 November 1980 Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand
Height	6 ft 2 in (186 cm)
Weight	15 st 6 lb (98 kg)
Playing information
Rugby league
Position	Fullback, Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1999–2004	Parramatta Eels	92	32	0	0	128
2005–2007	Wigan Warriors	73	17	1	0	70
2008	Manly Sea Eagles	2	0	0	0	0
	Total	167	49	1	0	198
Representative
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
1998	Canterbury
2000–2003	New Zealand	7	3	0	0	12
Rugby union
Position	Centre
Club
Years	Team	Pld	T	G	FG	P
2008–2010	SC Albi	19	2	0	0	10
Source: It's Rugby

David Ioane Vaealiki (born 13 November 1980) is a rugby union player who most recently played for SC Albi. He has represented New Zealand in rugby league and previously played in the National Rugby League in Australia and in Super League in England. His main playing position is at centre.

Early years and Parramatta

A product of New Zealand junior side Sydenham, David Vaealiki attended Linwood High School and became Canterbury's youngest ever representative when he made his debut for the province aged just 17 years and 199 days in a match against the West Coast. He then signed for the Parramatta Eels and made his first grade debut in 1999. He went on to play for Parramatta at centre in their 2001 NRL Grand Final loss to the Newcastle Knights. Vaealiki scored the fastest hat-trick in the NRL versus Penrith 17 March 2002. In 2004, David's season was cut short by an Achilles tendon injury, he played only eight games.

Wigan Warriors career

He signed a 3-year contract with Wigan in July 2004. He joined the club for the 2005 Super League and his first appearance for Wigan on 30 January 2005 in a pre season friendly against London Broncos after starting the match from the bench. He made his first start for Wigan in their 15–4 win over Salford City Reds in the Super League his last game was the semi finals versus Leeds Rhinos in October 2007.

Manly

David Vaealiki was expected to join Harlequins RL when his Wigan contract expired at the end of 2007's Super League XII and it was not known if he was offered a new contract. In September 2007 he was linked with a move to French Rugby Union side Sporting Club Albigeois.

Instead Vaealiki joined the Manly Sea Eagles on a one-year deal and played two games for the club in early 2008.

French rugby union

Vaealiki was released by Manly after round 7 of the NRL to enable him to take up the offer of a two-year contract with Top 14 French rugby union club, SC Albi.

International career

Vaealiki earned international selection for the Junior Kiwis in 1998 and played for New Zealand between 2000 and 2003, including the World Cup in 2000.

External links

• David Vaealiki Wigan Career Page on the Wigan RL Fansite.
• Wigan Warriors Profile
• Super League Profile