Chris Vea'ila
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Christopher Vea'ila | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 24 February 2003 Auckland, New Zealand | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 186 cm (6 ft 1 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 97 kg (15 st 4 lb) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Centre, Wing | |||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
Source: [1] As of 19 August 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Vea'ila (born 24 February 2003) is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a centre for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the National Rugby League.
Background
Vei'la was born in Auckland and is of Tongan descent.[2] He played his junior rugby league for the Waitemata Seagulls and Pt Chevalier Pirates before being signed by the Newcastle Knights when he was 14.[3][4][5]
Playing career
Early career
Vea'ila spent several seasons in the Knights' junior representative system, winning the Harold Matthews Cup with the club in 2019.[6] From 2020 to 2022, he played for the club's SG Ball Cup side.[7]
In 2023, while playing for Newcastle's Jersey Flegg Cup side, he made a mid-season move to the Cronulla Sharks.[8]
In 2024, he became a regular for the Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup, starting at centre in their Grand Final win over the North Sydney Bears.[9]
2025
On 8 May, Vea'ila re-signed with the Sharks until the end of the 2026 season.[10]
In Round 20 of the 2025 NRL season, Vea'ila made his NRL debut, scoring a try in the Sharks' 31–18 win over the Sydney Roosters.[11]
2026
On 12 January, it was reported that Vea'ila had signed a deal with the Perth Bears from 2027.[12] It was confirmed hours later that Vea'ila had signed for two years.[13]
References
- ^ Rugby League Project
- ^ "Sharks unveil inaugural Pasifika jersey". Cronulla Sharks. 28 May 2025.
- ^ "Vea'ila set for long-awaited NRL debut against Roosters". Cronulla Sharks. 17 July 2025.
- ^ "Kiwi NRL Spotlight". Niche Cache. 22 July 2025.
- ^ "More home-grown talents enjoying success in the NRL". NZRL. 18 August 2025.
- ^ "Newcastle crowned Harold Matthews champions". NSWRL. 4 May 2019.
- ^ "2022 SG Ball Cup and Tarsha Gale Cup Finals Week 2 team lists". Newcastle Knights. 19 April 2022.
- ^ "Chris Vea'ila". 18th Man.
- ^ "Jets Team List - Grand Final v Bears". Cronulla Sharks. 24 September 2024.
- ^ "Sharks reinforce depth as Puru, Vea'ila extend". Cronulla Sharks. 8 May 2025.
- ^ "Sharks v Roosters: Vea'ila to debut; Veteran playmaker returns". NRL. 17 July 2025.
- ^ Issa, Isaac (12 January 2026). "Bears add two more signings to 2027 roster". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 12 January 2026.
- ^ "2026 NRL Signings Tracker: Leeds star bound for Perth; Souths sign Elliott". National Rugby League. 12 January 2026. Retrieved 12 January 2026.