| Date of birth | (1990-02-10)10 February 1990 (age 35) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Henderson, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 108 kg (17 st 0 lb; 238 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Auckland Grammar School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Nathan Vella (born 10 February 1990) is aNew Zealandrugby union player who currently plays as ahooker forCanterbury in New Zealand's domesticMitre 10 Cup.[1]
Born and raised in Auckland, Vella attendedAuckland Grammar School in the city and played first XV rugby with them for 3 years, captaining the side in 2008. During this time, he made his way through the age group levels with his local provincial side,Auckland.[1][2]
Vella started his senior career with his local side, Auckland, making 14 appearances for them across 3 seasons from2011 to2013. He then moved to the UK to try his luck, initially withLondon Welsh who he helped win promotion to theEnglish Premiership in2014. Latterly he had a short stint with RFU Championship side, theBedford Blues before returning to New Zealand in 2016.
After a short spell providing injury cover forSuper Rugby franchise, theCrusaders at the beginning of 2016, he was named in their main feeder union,Canterbury's squad for the2016 Mitre 10 Cup. He made 9 appearances, 7 of which were as a replacement for regular starterBen Funnell and scored an impressive 4 tries which helped Canterbury lift that year's Mitre 10 Cup Premiership, their 8th success in 9 seasons.[3]
Vella made his super rugby debit for the Crusaders as in 2016 and in 2018 played for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders. Then in 2019 Vella played for Japanese super side the Sunwolves. When third choice Highlanders hooker Ricky Jackson suffered an ankle injury before the 2020 season, Vella was bought into the side.