Making history with the Auckland Vulcans U15s in October last year set in motion the biggest 12 months of Chris Veaila’s life.

Veaila was among the Vulcans’ standout players in Rotorua last year as they shocked the competition to power past Counties Manukau in the National Youth Tournament semi-finals, before downing the South Island to become the first Vulcans team ever to win a national title. 

After linking up with the Newcastle Knights a short time later, Veaila didn’t have to wait long to experience that winning feeling again, as his side went all the way and won the U16 NSW Harold Matthews Cup competition.

“It was a real buzz to win it in my first year, it was crazy,” Veaila said. 

“I have learned heaps since I moved over here to Newcastle and it's good being part of a new team.

“It's hard being away from the family, but I live in a house full of boys from different areas and that makes it easier.

“[Former St Paul’s player] Star Toa was in the house until this year, and Sam Kamu [last year’s SAS College Rugby League Player of the Year] comes over to the house every day.”

Earlier this month Veaila returned to his old stomping ground at Ranui Domain, but this time in the colours of the Newcastle Knights, for a game against a Waitemata Invitational side as part of Newcastle’s New Zealand tour. 

“I felt really proud to do it, especially for mum and dad,” Veaila said.

“All the boys from Waitemata were giving me banter.

“I was a bit nervous, but tried to stay calm.”

Veaila said he will be forever grateful for the experience he had with the Vulcans last year, and has no doubt it served a launchpad for his strong 2019 season.

“I could easily still be here playing for Waitemata, playing for MAGS (Mt Albert Grammar School), if it wasn’t for the Vulcans and that tournament,” Veaila said.

“It was a good experience and winning it, to be the first Vulcans team to do that, that was incredible.

“We had a great team with heaps of talent and I think more of those players will end up in NRL systems. 

“I still talk to those boys from the team every week.

“I learned a lot off [Vulcans U15 coach] Fita Hala, and while I only had the one year with him, he taught me a lot about defence and structures and all that.”

Last year’s Vulcans U17 coach Mahara Campbell, who was involved with Veaila at Waitemata, said it was pleasing to see him experiencing success in Australia. 

“It was great to see Chris back here and doing really well with the Knights,” Campbell said.

“He’s grown a lot as a player but also as a person. He was a real shy boy when he left, but he’s really well-spoken now and on the field he’s barking orders.”

After being selected in the initial NSW U16 team this year - before having to pull out due to being ineligible - Veaila now has his eyes set on making it into the Australian Schoolboys side in 2020. 

Article added: Wednesday 17 July 2019