Rugby League: Vaealiki call firms Eels connection

By PETER JESSUP

David Vaealiki's selection in the 17 for the test against France on Sunday reinforces a substantial Parramatta connection in New Zealand league.

Vaealiki's role in the test against France at Ericsson Stadium on Sunday is still being worked through with the player.

His value as a back utility is a big plus - equipping players with the ability to fill a variety of positions being an Eels mantra - and at Kiwi training yesterday he filled a range of jobs.

The 20-year-old and his 16 team-mates completed a mistake-free session that pleased coach Gary Freeman and assistant Gerard Stokes, the players showing plenty of enthusiasm, all sharp, no injury clouds and the talk loud in calling for the ball.

New Kiwis coach Freeman began his coaching career with age-group sides at Parramatta and picked the new national team trainer, George Yianamides, Bob Lanigan's replacement, from his associations there.

Former Warriors' scholarship player Vaealiki joins former Warriors reserve-grader David Solomona there and Eels skipper Nathan Cayless is also Kiwi captain.

There are around 400 junior league players in the Parramatta district who are eligible to represent New Zealand because one or both parents are Kiwis.

The Kiwi team under Frank Endacott trained at Parramatta Stadium when in Sydney for tests in recent years because of the club's desire to give some return for all those juniors.

And among Vaealiki's previous coaches is Warriors coach Daniel Anderson, who had the Eels' reserve grade side last year.

Vaealiki played soccer until age 12 and then went to the Sydenham league club because the game suited his size and physical nature better.

He was a Junior Kiwi with fellow test player Henry Perenara, and knows most of the current Kiwi team through age-group sides. He left the Warriors because of the troubles they had in past seasons, as Perenara did, and - like Perenara - doesn't regret it despite the way the Warriors have turned around.

"I'd like to come back at some stage, because I always wanted to play for the Warriors. But I've learnt a lot at the Eels, from Daniel Anderson and Brian Smith."

The Eels have turned Vaealiki from a career fullback to a centre-wing/sometime fullback. He prefers fullback, where there's more ball to make big runs, but is happy he's turning into a good, solid centre.

"Obviously I'd like any position in the Kiwis. But it's good to have the ability to switch and hopefully that makes you more valuable," he said.