Albert Vete

Albert Vete

Personal information
Born	(1993-01-24) 24 January 1993 (age 31) Auckland, New Zealand
Height	6 ft 3 in (1.90 m)
Weight	17 st 13 lb (114 kg)
Playing information
Position	Prop
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 2015–18 New Zealand Warriors 46 4 0 0 16 2018–20 Melbourne Storm 8 0 0 0 0 2021–22 Hull Kingston Rovers 32 8 0 0 32 2023–24 Castleford Tigers 11 0 0 0 0 2023(loan) → Featherstone Rovers 2 0 0 0 0 2023(loan) → Doncaster RLFC 8 4 0 0 16 2024 Point Chevalier Pirates 1 1 0 0 4 Total 108 17 0 0 68 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 2015 Tonga 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1] As of 19 April 2024

Albert Vete (Tongan : ʻAlipate Vete) (born 24 January 1993) is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who last played as a prop forward for the Castleford Tigers in the Super League.

He previously played for the New Zealand Warriors and the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League, and the Hull Kingston Rovers in the Super League. He has also spent time on loan from Castleford at Featherstone Rovers in the Championship and Doncaster in League 1.

Background

Vete was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He is of Tongan descent.

Vete was educated at Saint Kentigern College, playing rugby union and captaining their first XV to the Auckland title. ^[2]

Playing career

Early years

Vete switched to rugby league in 2012, signing with the New Zealand Warriors and playing in their under 20's side while studying towards a Bachelor of Physical Education. ^[3] Vete was part of the Junior Warriors side that played in 2013 Holden Cup Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers juniors, playing at prop and scoring a try in the 30–42 loss. ^[4]

On 13 October 2013, Vete played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos at prop in the Kiwis' 26–38 loss. ^[5] In 2014 Vete joined the full-time squad and played in 19 games in the New South Wales Cup for the Warriors. ^[6]

2015

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Vete made his first grade NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the Newcastle Knights off the interchange bench in the Warriors 24–14 loss at Hunter Stadium. ^{[7] [8]} On 2 May 2015, Vete played for Tonga against Samoa in the Polynesian Cup, playing off the interchange bench in Tonga's 16–18 loss at Cbus Super Stadium. ^{[9] [10]} On 7 July 2015, Vete re-signed with the Warriors on a 2-year contract to the end of the 2017 season. ^[11] In Round 20 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Vete scored his first NRL career try in the Warriors 32–12 loss at Mt Smart Stadium. ^[12] Vete finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 2 tries. On 17 October 2015, Vete played for Tonga in their Asia-Pacific Qualifier match against the Cook Islands for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. ^[13] He played at prop in Tonga's 28–8 win at Campbelltown Stadium. ^[14]

2016

In February, Vete played for the Warriors in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines. ^[15]

On 2 May, The New Zealand Herald reported five players were stood down from an international test match for mixing prescription drugs with energy drinks on a night out. The recipe can emulate the effect of illicit drugs. Vete was one of the players named who was involved in the activity. ^[16]

2018

In July, Vete was a mid season trade from the Warriors. ^[17] He made his Melbourne Storm debut against St. George Illawarra in their round 17 clash. ^[18]

2019

In the 2019 NRL season, Vete made only one appearance which came against St. George Illawarra in round 16 where Melbourne won 16–14. ^[19]

2020

Vete made only six appearances for Melbourne in the 2020 NRL season. He did not play in the finals series or the 2020 NRL Grand Final for Melbourne. At the end of the season, he signed a contract to join Hull KR. ^[20]

2021

In round 18 of the 2021 Super League season, Vete was controversially sent to the sin bin during Hull KR's 34–28 victory over Leigh. ^[21] In the elimination play off match against Warrington, Vete was sent to the sin bin during Hull KR's 19–0 victory. Vete made a total of 13 appearances including the club's semi-final defeat against the Catalans Dragons. ^{[22] [23] [24]}

2022

On 29 August, it was announced that Vete would be one of eleven players who were to depart Hull Kingston Rovers at the end of the 2022 season. ^[25] On 24 September, it was announced that he had signed a two-year deal to join Castleford.

2023

On 5 April 2023 it was reported that he would join Featherstone Rovers on a short-term loan deal. ^[26]

2024

On 19 Apr 24 Castleford Tigers confirmed that Vete had been released by the club ^[27]

References

1. "Albert Vete - Career Stats & Summary". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
2. "Albert Vete". Warriors.co.nz. Archived from the original on 30 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
3. "League: Warriors school up on union - Sport - NZ Herald News". The New Zealand Herald . 4 December 2011. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
4. "Panthers seal Thrilling 42-30 Holden Cup Victory over New Zealand Warriors". Dailytelegraph.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
5. Chris Barclay (27 September 2013). "Albert Vete chases history with Junior Warriors". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
6. "NRL: Five players earn extended Warriors' contracts - Sport - NZ Herald News". The New Zealand Herald . 23 May 2013. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
7. "New faces galore for New Zealand Warriors' clash with Newcastle Knights". Stuff.co.nz. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
8. "Knights fight back to beat Warriors". NRL.com. 7 March 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
9. "Tonga Named To Face Samoa In Pacific Test". Rugby League Week. 26 April 2015. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
10. "Sam Kasiano Try Saving Tackle on Jorge Taufua Secures Pacific Test Win for Samoa Against Tonga". Foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
11. "Albert Vete signs two-year deal with Warriors". Stuff.co.nz. 7 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
12. "Johnson's season over as Manly beat Warriors". NRL.com. 25 July 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
13. "Tonga finalise squad for World Cup Qualifier – Asia Pacific Rugby League Confederation". Asiapacificrl.com. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
14. "Tonga qualify for 2017 World Cup". NRL.com. 17 October 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
15. "Warriors name 2016 Nines squad". Rugby League Week. 29 January 2016. Archived from the original on 4 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
16. "The 66 scandals in four years that have rocked the NRL". Fox Sports. 8 February 2019.
17. "League: Warriors forward Albert Vete picked up by Melbourne Storm". New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
18. "Late Mail - Round 17". Melbourne Storm. 5 July 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
19. "St George Illawarra Dragons 14 lost to Melbourne Storm 16". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 14 March 2023.
20. "Albert Vete gives verdict on Hull KR debut as he reveals role for round one". www.hulldailymail.co.uk.
21. "Super League: Leigh Centurions 28-34 Hull Kingston Rovers - visitors edge 62-point thriller". BBC Sport.
22. Bower, Aaron (30 September 2021). "Catalans Dragons blast past Hull KR and into their first Super League Grand Final". The Guardian.
23. "Barrie McDermott's 2021 Betfred Super League season review". www.skysports.com.
24. "Super League: Warrington Wolves 0-19 Hull KR - Robins set up a semi-final at Catalans". www.bbc.com. 23 September 2021.
25. "Hull KR confirm 11 departures including former NRL trio and star winger". www.seriousaboutrl.com. 28 August 2022.
26. "Featherstone Rovers bring in Super League duo on loan". Love Rugby League. 5 April 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
27. "Castleford Tigers 'actively looking' to fill quota spot following Albert Vete release". Love Rugby League. 19 April 2024.

External links

• Melbourne Storm profile
• New Zealand Warriors profile