Vaea Fifita rugby player
Vaea Fifita rugby player

Vaea Fifita

17th Jun 1992 1.96m/111kg Blindside Flanker

Fifita attended Tonga College on the larger island of Tongatapu and while there earned selection for the Tonga Schools side ahead of their tour to New Zealand.

After graduating high school, he spent time with former All Black number eight Murray Mexted at his international rugby academy in Palmerston North.

Fifita first played provincial rugby with Wellington during the 2013 ITM Cup.

The flanker was called up to midway through the Super Rugby campaign and debuted in a 29–5 victory over the Blues in Auckland.

On 27 June 2017, Fifita started at blindside flanker for the Hurricanes against the touring British and Irish Lions.

He was given his first test start on 9 September 2017, against Argentina at Taranaki in the 2017 Rugby Championship.

The year 2018 proved to be a frustrating period for Fifita who suffered a number of injuries and struggled for regular game time.

On 28 August 2019, Fifita was omitted by All Blacks Head Coach, Steve Hansen, from New Zealand's 31-man squad to travel to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, with Luke Jacobson picked over Fifita, who was not considered for selection due to injury.

Heading into the 2020 season, he has 57 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes with 40 points

In October 2020, he signed a new deal with the Hurricanes until 2021.

In early 2022, United Rugby Championship team Scarlets, announced the services of Fifita for the following season

He has since made 20 appearances for the Scarlets scoring 4 tries.

He has recently been included in Tonga's final training squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

S.C June 23



Career

scarlets Scarlets
No 5 Lock
2022 - present
New Zealand New Zealand
Blindside Flanker
2017 - 2019
504247-243324-14 Wellington
No 5 Lock
2014 - 2021
hurricanes Hurricanes
Blindside Flanker
2015 - 2021
ws Wasps
No 5 Lock
2021 - 2022
275213_100002908945441_1598230740_n Tonga
Blindside Flanker
2023 - 2024