Nathan Vella

Last updated

Nathan Vella
Date of birth (1990-02-10) 10 February 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth Henderson, New Zealand
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight108 kg (17 st 0 lb; 238 lb)
School Auckland Grammar School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team Bay of Plenty
Amateur team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018 ()
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2011–13 Auckland 15 (5)
2013–15 London Welsh 32 (25)
2015–16 Bedford Blues 2 (5)
2016–2018 Canterbury 33 (30)
2018 Hurricanes 3 (0)
2019 Sunwolves 12 (5)
2020 Highlanders 2 ()
2021 Crusaders 5 ()
2019 Bay of Plenty 35 (30)
2018 CocaCola 17 (15)
Correct as of 23 November 2016
Correct as of Hurricanes


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]

Contents

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]

Super Rugby

Vella made his super rugby debit for the Crusaders as in 2016 and in 2018 played for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders. Then in 2019 Vella played for Japanese super side the Sunwolves. When third choice Highlanders hooker Ricky Jackson suffered an ankle injury before the 2020 season, Vella was bought into the side.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Bowden</span> Rugby player

Daniel Russell Bowden is a New Zealand rugby union player, currently playing for Auckland in the Mitre 10 Cup.

Benjamin Camden John Funnell is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Timothy Grant Perry is a retired New Zealand rugby union player who played as a prop for Tasman in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup, the Crusaders and the Blues in the international Super Rugby competition.

Sa Jordan Taufua is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays as a loose forward. He previously played for Tasman in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Daniel Lienert-Brown is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loosehead prop for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Rob Thompson is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays centre for Manawatu in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Siate Tokolahi is a Tongan rugby union player who played as a prop for Canterbury and Southland in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Chiefs and Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Alexander T O A. Hodgman is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Auckland in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Blues in the international Super Rugby competition.

Tom Bayley Sanders is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a loose forward for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition. He also plays as a Number 8 position.

Greg Pleasants-Tate is a New Zealand rugby union player who has played as a hooker for Bay of Plenty, North Harbour, Auckland, Canterbury and Southland in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Blues and Highlanders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Mitchell Thomas William Dunshea is a New Zealand Rugby Union player who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition.

Mitchell James Hunt is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a first five-eighth or fullback for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC.

Taleni Seu is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a lock or loose forward for Waikato in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and Toyota Industries Shuttles in Japan.

Elias Jack Goodhue is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a Centre for Northland in the Bunnings NPC.

Quinten J. Strange is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a lock for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Crusaders in the Super Rugby competition.

Andrew Makalio is a New Zealand rugby union player.

George Crispin Bridge is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as an outside back for Montpellier Hérault Rugby in France's domestic TOP 14. Bridge made his international debut for New Zealand in 2018, aged 23.

Oliver G J T. Jager is a rugby union player who currently plays as a prop for Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup and for the Crusaders in the international Super Rugby competition. He is often known as the Flying Bull.

Ereatara Enari is a New Zealand rugby union player, who currently plays as a halfback for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. He was born and raised in New Zealand, but has represented Manu Samoa internationally, for which he is eligible due to his Samoan heritage.

Pari Pari Matua Parkinson is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for Tasman in the Bunnings NPC and the Highlanders in Super Rugby. His position of choice is Lock.

References

  1. 1 2 "Nathan Vella Canterbury Player Profile". Canterbury Rugby. Archived from the original on 23 November 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  2. "London Welsh snap up Auckland hooker Nathan Vella". London Welsh. 2 December 2013. Retrieved 23 November 2016.
  3. "Nathan Vella itsrugby Player Statistics". itsrugby. Retrieved 23 November 2016.