League: Vatuvei gets star treatment

Manu Vatuvei

Boom Warriors winger Manu Vatuvei has noticed differences in how defences are treating him in the NRL this season.

While he might have had to cope with one marker in the past, he is now attracting more attention.

"Yeah, I've noticed it, I'm getting smashed up this year," he said with a smile. "Last year it was one-on-one. Now I'm getting players ganging up on me."

But that hasn't stopped Vatuvei, part of an unchanged 17 to face Manly in Auckland on Sunday, from continuing his try-scoring streak for the Warriors.

The powerful 20-year-old has touched down in all four matches so far this year.

Those four tries have taken his tally to 13 in his past 15 matches going back to last season, a sequence he wasn't aware of, and which he could not explain.

"It's just a case of being there at the right time, supporting the guys, and just all the help from the boys," he said.

"I haven't had a run like that before. It's a big one for me and I hope I can keep it up."

Vatuvei's NRL debut came as an 18-year-old in 2004, when he made five appearances.

He consolidated his first-grade position last year, when he also earned a call-up to the Kiwis.

He played in all five Tri-Nations tests, scoring three times, including a double in the 24-0 title decider against Australia at Leeds.

At the start of the new campaign, Vatuvei continued to find his way across the line despite the Warriors losing their first two matches.

The winger made his share of glaring errors in the round-two defeat to Parramatta in Hamilton.

But advice from the likes of Kiwis skipper Ruben Wiki had helped him to bounce back, just as the Warriors' own fortunes have risen since with wins over the Wests Tigers and the Knights.

Coach Ivan Cleary's thoughts on Vatuvei's scoring run were simple: "I'd like it to continue."

And Cleary also praised the player's development since last season, saying he had returned from the Tri-Nations a more rounded player.

- NZPA