Michael Vella
.jpg) Vella in 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 19 February 1978 Sydney, New South Wales | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 191 cm (6 ft 3 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (16 st 10 lb) [1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Front Row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Michael Vella is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative forward, he played his club football in the NRL for the Parramatta Eels, and in Super League for Hull Kingston Rovers, who he also captained. In addition to representing Australia internationally, he has played for the Malta Knights as he is of Maltese descent.
Vella was selected to play from the interchange bench for New South Wales in Game II of the 1999 State of Origin series. At the end of the season he helped the Australian national team to victory in the final of the 1999 Tri-nations tournament.
Vella played for the Parramatta Eels at prop forward in their 2001 NRL grand final loss to the Newcastle Knights. After that he represented Australia during their successful 2000 World Cup campaign and the following year went on the 2001 Kangaroo Tour.[2]
In 2006 Vella left Parramatta to play in Europe's Super League for English club Hull Kingston Rovers where he was voted Players' Player of the Year in 2007. He also captained the club in his final year, 2011.
Vella returned to Australia, and is currently working as a Personal Trainer at Fitness First, Castle Hill.[3]
Super League Tries
- Scores and results list Mick's try tally first.[4]
| Date | Venue | Opponent | Result | Tournament | Scored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 September 2007 | Craven Park, | Huddersfield Giants | 25–24 | Super League | 1 |
| 9 March 2008 | Belle Vue | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | 22–20 | Super League | 1 |
| 6 June 2008 | Knowsley Road, | St Helens | 52–10 | Super League | 1 |
| 21 June 2008 | Craven Park | Wakefield Trinity Wildcats | 18–26 | Super League | 1 |
| 6 July 2008 | The Jungle | Castleford Tigers | 18–10 | Super League | 1 |
| 1 August 2008 | Craven Park | Catalans Dragons | 30–16 | Super League | 1 |
| 24 August 2008 | Odsal Stadium, | Bradford Bulls | 42–18 | Super League | 2 |
| 7 September 2008 | Craven Park | Hull | 36–8 | Super League | 1 |
| 3 May 2009 | Murrayfield Stadium, | Warrington Wolves | 28–36 | Super League | 1 |
| 28 June 2009 | Craven Park, | Wigan Warriors | 26–38 | Super League | 1 |
| 9 April 2011 | Craven Park | Leeds Rhinos | 38-28 | Super League | 1 |
References
- ^ "Hull KR The Official Site of the Robins". web page. Hull Kingston Rovers RLFC. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
- ^ 2001 Ashes profile at news.bbc.co.uk
- ^ http://hills-shire-times.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/fitness-brings-a-smile-to-former-eel/
- ^ http://www.slstats.org/p335/Shaun+Briscoe.html
- Use dmy dates from July 2013
- 1978 births
- Australian rugby league players
- Australian people of Maltese descent
- Malta national rugby league team players
- Australia national rugby league team players
- Parramatta Eels players
- Hull Kingston Rovers players
- New South Wales Rugby League State of Origin players
- Rugby league props
- Living people