Nathan Vella
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Born |
10 February 1990 Henderson, New Zealand | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||
| Weight | 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) | ||
| School(s) attended | Auckland Grammar School | ||
| Club information | |||
| Playing position | Hooker | ||
| Current club | Canterbury | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Pts)† |
| 2011−13 | Auckland | 14 | (5) |
| 2013−15 | London Welsh | 24 | (10) |
| 2015−16 | Bedford Blues | 2 | (0) |
| 2016− | Canterbury | 9 | (20) |
|
* Senior club appearances and points correct as of 23 November 2016. | |||
Nathan Vella (born 10 February 1990) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup.[1]
Youth Career
Born and raised in Auckland, Vella attended Auckland Grammar School in the city and played first XV rugby with them for 3 years, captaining the side in 2008. During this time, he made his way through the age group levels with his local provincial side, Auckland.[1][2]
Senior Career
Vella started his senior career with his local side, Auckland, making 14 appearances for them across 3 seasons from 2011 to 2013. He then moved to the UK to try his luck, initially with London Welsh who he helped win promotion to the English Premiership in 2014. Latterly he had a short stint with RFU Championship side, the Bedford Blues before returning to New Zealand in 2016.
After a short spell providing injury cover for Super Rugby franchise, the Crusaders at the beginning of 2016, he was named in their main feeder union, Canterbury's squad for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup. He made 9 appearances, 7 of which were as a replacement for regular starter Ben Funnell and scored an impressive 4 tries which helped Canterbury lift that year's Mitre 10 Cup Premiership, their 8th success in 9 seasons. [3]
References
- 1 2 "Nathan Vella Canterbury Player Profile". Canterbury Rugby. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ↑ "London Welsh snap up Auckland hooker Nathan Vella". London Welsh. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
- ↑ "Nathan Vella itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 23 November 2016.