Siosaia Vave


Siosaia Vave pronounced is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a for the St Mary's Saints in the Ron Massey Cup. He previously played for the Parramatta Eels, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the Melbourne Storm in the NRL.

Background

Vave played his junior footy for Western City Tigers Mt Druitt in Western Sydney. He was educated at St Clare Catholic High School, Chifley College and Patrician Brothers' College Blacktown, Vave signed with the Gold Coast Titans and played in the National Youth Competition before signing with the Cronulla Sharks for the 2010 season.

Playing career

After playing 17 games in 2 seasons for Cronulla-Sutherland, he signed with the Melbourne Storm for the 2012 NRL season and made his debut in round 1 against the Canberra Raiders. He was interchange for Storm's 2013 World Club Challenge win over Leeds.
In the 2014 NRL season, Vave returned to Cronulla and played 15 games for them in which turned out to be one of the toughest in the club's history with the side finishing last on the table and claiming the wooden spoon.
On 28 October 2014, Vave signed with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles on a deal commencing in the 2015 NRL season.
On 7 May 2016, Vave played for Tonga against Samoa in the 2016 Polynesian Cup, playing off the interchange bench in the 18-6 loss at Parramatta Stadium. Vave made his debut for the Parramatta Eels in round 4 against Cronulla-Sutherland in a losing effort. He scored his first try for the Eels against the Canberra Raiders on his birthday in a losing effort.
In the 2017 NRL season, Vave made 18 appearances for Parramatta as he was part of the side that finished fourth place on the ladder. In 2018, Vave was not selected to play first grade by coach Brad Arthur for the first 9 rounds of the season due to fitness problems but was called up to the side for the round 10 match against Canterbury.
At the end of the 2018 season, Parramatta finished last on the table claiming its 14th wooden spoon and Vave was released by the club. In 2019, Vave joined Ron Massey Cup side St Mary's Saints.
On 25 September 2019, Vave signed a contract to join Group 10 country side the Blayney Bears.

Controversy

In February 2020, it was revealed that Vave would not be required to play for Blayney after it was alleged that Vave had pocketed $5000 courtesy of a signing on fee he initially obtained after joining the club. Vave subsequently went missing with club officials attempting to phone Vave to no avail. Vave had also reportedly borrowed $2400 from Blayney's club president Damon Taylor and had borrowed $4000 from a teammate at St Mary's in 2019. Taylor spoke to the media saying "He's gone missing, I'm gutted, the club had thought it had kicked a dead set goal but that's gone now.