To’o Vaega

To'o Vaega (born 17 August 1965 in Moto'otua, Samoa) is a retired professional rugby union footballer, best known for his long career with the Samoan national team.

To'o Vaega
Birth nameTo'o Malo Vaega
Date of birth (1965-08-17) 17 August 1965
Place of birthMoto'otua, Samoa
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb)
Notable relative(s)Cardiff Vaega (son)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1988-1990
1991
1995-1997
2000		 Suburbs
Hastings High School Old Boys
Star Rugby Club
Waitakere City		 ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1993-1994 Moata'a ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1988-1990
1990-1991
1991
1992
1995-1997
2000		 Auckland
Auckland B
Hawke's Bay
Auckland
Southland
Bay of Plenty[1]		 ()
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–97
2000		 Highlanders
Blues		 13
1		 (20)
(0)
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1986-2001  Samoa 61 (71)

Career

Vaega made his debut for Samoa against Wales on 14 June 1986, starting one of the longest international careers in modern rugby union history. By the time of his final cap against Ireland on 11 November 2001, he had represented his country 61 times in a 15-year period.

Vaega starred for Samoa in three World Cups, but is most remembered for scoring a critical try in Samoa's historic 16–13 victory over Wales in Cardiff during the 1991 Rugby World Cup.

Outside of his duties with the Samoan national team, Vaega enjoyed a long club career in New Zealand, most notably with Southland and the Highlanders in the mid-1990s. He was an original Highlander in the first Super 12 campaign in 1996, and set a franchise record with three tries in a match that year against Western Province, a record he shares to this day.

Vaega's son Cardiff Vaega, named for the site of Samoa's victory over Wales in 1991,[2] is currently playing for the Counties-Manukau Steelers in the Mitre 10 Cup competition.

References
  1. To'o M. V. Vaega at New Zealand Rugby History
  2. Egan, Brendon (4 March 2011). "Name celebrates Samoa's first World Cup win". The Southland Times. Retrieved 23 November 2011.
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