Viliami Vailea

Last updated

Viliami Vailea
Viliami Vailea.jpg
Personal information
Full nameViliami Vailea
Born (2002-11-17) 17 November 2002 (age 22)
Vaini, Tonga
Height185 cm (6 ft 1 in)
Weight98 kg (15 st 6 lb)
Playing information
Position Centre
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
2021–23 New Zealand Warriors 1780032
2024– Nth Qld Cowboys 3240016
Total49120048
Source: [1]
As of 24 August 2025

Viliami Vailea (born 17 November 2002) [2] is a Tongan professional rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Contents

Background

Before turning to rugby league, Vailea was a prominent rugby union player at Aorere College.

Playing Career

2021

In round 20 of the 2021 NRL season, Vailea made his debut for the Warriors against the Wests Tigers at Suncorp Stadium in a 18–16 win. [3]

2022

He made a total of ten appearances for the New Zealand Warriors in the 2022 NRL season as they finished 15th on the table. [4]

2023

Vailea signed a two-year contract with the North Queensland Cowboys. [5]

2024

In round 9 of the 2024 NRL season, Vailea made his debut for the North Queensland Cowboys against the Dolphins (NRL) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium in a 26-28 loss. [6]

He scored his first North Queensland Cowboys try in round 11 of the 2024 NRL season in round 11 in a 22-28 win against the South Sydney Rabbitohs during Magic Round at Suncorp Stadium.

2025

On 4 June, the Cowboys announced that Vailea and Zac Laybutt had re-signed with the club until the end of 2027. [7]

Statistics

YearTeamGamesTriesPts
2021 Auckland colours.svg New Zealand Warriors 2
202210728
2023514
2024 North Queensland colours.svg North Queensland Cowboys 1828
20251028
Totals451248

References

  1. Rugby League Project
  2. "Viliami Vailea". Warriors. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  3. "Big four back to face Sharks". Warriors. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  4. "Warriors farewell 15 players after return to New Zealand". www.foxsports.com.au.
  5. "Cowboys sign Vailea". North Queensland Cowboys. 26 July 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  6. "Cowboys v Dolphins". National Rugby League. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  7. "Cowboys re-sign Vailea and Laybutt". North Queensland Cowboys. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 4 June 2025.