| Matt Vaega | |
| Birth Date: | 7 September 1994 |
| Birth Place: | Auckland, New Zealand |
| Height: | 1.78m (05.84feet) |
| Weight: | 890NaN0 |
| School: | Kelston Boys' High School |
| Relatives: | To’o Vaega (father) Cardiff Vaega (brother) |
| Position: | Midfield Back |
| Currentclub: | Mitsubishi Dynaboars |
| Years1: | 2014–2017 |
| Apps1: | 38 |
| Points1: | 67 |
| Years2: | 2015–2017 |
| Apps2: | 2 |
| Points2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2018– |
| Clubs3: | Mitsubishi Dynaboars |
| Apps3: | 29 |
| Points3: | 107 |
| Repyears1: | 2012 |
| Repteam1: | New Zealand Schools |
| Clubupdate: | 21 October 2022 |
Matt Vaega (born 7 September 1994) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a midfield back for in the Mitre 10 Cup.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
The son of n legend To'o Vaega, he was born and raised in Auckland, New Zealand and attended school at Kelston Boys' High School. While there, he helped them to lift the World Rugby Youth Tournament in Japan.[5]
Vaega began his senior career with Auckland-based, North Harbour in 2014 scoring 2 tries in 6 appearances. Although the season was not successful for Harbour, Vaega impressed in their midfield and was retained for the following season. He played 9 times in 2015 and was then an ever present during Harbour's Championship winning season in 2016, scoring 4 tries in the process.[2]
Impressive form at provincial level was rewarded when after only 6 senior appearances, he was surprisingly included in the wider training group for the 2015 Super Rugby season.[6] He debuted against the and made a total of 3 appearances during the campaign including 1 start and also scored his first try at Super Rugby level.[2]
New head coach Tana Umaga dropped him from the squad for 2016 Super Rugby season, however a mid-season injury crisis in the Blues midfield saw him called upon as an injury replacement and he made 2 appearances from the replacements bench.[5]
Outstanding performances in North Harbour's successful Mitre 10 Cup campaign in 2016 saw him earn a recall to the Blues squad for 2017.[4]
Vaega represented New Zealand Schools in 2012.[5] [7] [8]
North Harbour
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Sub | Mins | Tries | Cons | Pens | Drops | Points | Yel | Red | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 116 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2 | 0 | 2 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 5 | 1 | 4 | 158 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | ||