TAIKA VATUVEIFull Name: Mataika (Taika) Vatuvei
Position: Hooker, Half back, Stand off Date of Birth: 7 December 1987 Height: 5 foot, 10 inches Weight: 90 Kilograms Nationality: Tongan / Fijian Current Club: Shellharbour Dragons (NSW Cup) NRL Player I most resemble: Craig Wing ACHIEVEMENTS Shellharbour Dragons NSW Cup representative (2010) Newtown Jets NSW Cup representative (2009) Fiji Bati International rugby league rep. (2009/08) Nelson Bays Blues Premier grade rep, Newcastle (2008) Waitakere Rangers NZ Bartercard cup rep. (2007) Vodafone Junior Warriors development (NRL) (2004 - 2006) Auckland Crowns NJC under 18s representative (2005/04). |
ABOUT TAIKA
Taika is a very experienced ball distributor having played a number of years in top level rugby league in New Zealand’s Bartercard cup competition and Australia’s NSW Cup competitions. Taika is an excellent organiser who has an ability to steer a team around the playing field. Taika shows great initiative for attack especially out of dummy half and has a steady short and long kicking game. A former Warriors Vodafone junior Taika quickly established himself in the hooker position after outstanding performances from the wing in the Bernie Perenara coached Bartercard cup franchise. After a strong season in the Newcastle competition Taika made an easy transition in to the Sydney based Newtown Jets NSW cup side. His dominating contributions and involvement saw Taika play a leading hand in the clubs rise from the bottom of the ladder.
Taika toured with the Australian based Fijian team to the United Kingdom where he was a stand out hooker and eventually played his way in to the International extended squad for the 2008 World Cup. In 2009 Taika featured in the Australian Fijian representative side which saw him progress through to the final stages of the Pacific Rim qualifiers. Taika is a good honest player who offers loads of options, is well liked amongst the community, team members and is an outstanding individual that makes valued contributions on the playing field. Taika is an exciting live wire organising hooker/half back. In 2009, he was the first choice Newtown Jets half back or hooker. In 2010, he has accustomised himself as the impact hooker. A talented athlete who has a great respect for his body and self development. Taika is experienced and shows plenty of promise. Taika has an adept kicking game and has the vision and ability to put players away. Taika has good foot work and is aggressive on defence. He communicates very well and is well liked amongst team members. His strengths lie in his ability to make metres from the ruck area.
Taika is a very experienced ball distributor having played a number of years in top level rugby league in New Zealand’s Bartercard cup competition and Australia’s NSW Cup competitions. Taika is an excellent organiser who has an ability to steer a team around the playing field. Taika shows great initiative for attack especially out of dummy half and has a steady short and long kicking game. A former Warriors Vodafone junior Taika quickly established himself in the hooker position after outstanding performances from the wing in the Bernie Perenara coached Bartercard cup franchise. After a strong season in the Newcastle competition Taika made an easy transition in to the Sydney based Newtown Jets NSW cup side. His dominating contributions and involvement saw Taika play a leading hand in the clubs rise from the bottom of the ladder.
Taika toured with the Australian based Fijian team to the United Kingdom where he was a stand out hooker and eventually played his way in to the International extended squad for the 2008 World Cup. In 2009 Taika featured in the Australian Fijian representative side which saw him progress through to the final stages of the Pacific Rim qualifiers. Taika is a good honest player who offers loads of options, is well liked amongst the community, team members and is an outstanding individual that makes valued contributions on the playing field. Taika is an exciting live wire organising hooker/half back. In 2009, he was the first choice Newtown Jets half back or hooker. In 2010, he has accustomised himself as the impact hooker. A talented athlete who has a great respect for his body and self development. Taika is experienced and shows plenty of promise. Taika has an adept kicking game and has the vision and ability to put players away. Taika has good foot work and is aggressive on defence. He communicates very well and is well liked amongst team members. His strengths lie in his ability to make metres from the ruck area.
