A hardworking and versatile forward, Vernon first played for the Makos at hooker in 2011 but has become a real asset in the back row.
In April 2015, Fredericks suffered a concussion during a club game. After 3 and a half weeks on the sideline he was unable to shake off the symptoms, so underwent a scan which revealed a two-centimetre cyst in the middle of his brain.
Fredericks required brain surgery and was warned that he may never play rugby again, 6 months later he represented Tasman Makos in the first national provincial championship premiership semifinal, against Auckland.
He has continued to represent Tasman in Mitre 10 Cup and in May 2017 he was called into the Crusaders Super Rugby squad, following the injury of Kieran Read.
JW May 2017
Career
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Crusaders No. 8 |
2017 - 2017 |
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Tasman Mako No. 8 |
