Cardiff Vaega started his career with the Wellington based Super Rugby side the Hurricanes, and for provincial side Southland.
Vaega represented New Zealand at under-17 and made his debut for Southland in 2011 and his strong performances saw him named in the Hurricanes squad for the 2014 Super Rugby season.
Vaega is also son of To'o Vaega, who played for Southland and the Highlanders among other sides in New Zealand. To'o also played for Samoa he had represented his country 61 times in a 15-year period.
Vaega studied at Auckland rugby powerhouse Kelston Boys' High School – where he was a member of the First XV for four seasons. Cardiff had shifted to Invercargill with an ambition of furthering his rugby and cracking Southland in the next few years.
He played his club rugby with Star, he was also approached by Otago, but said several factors swayed him to Southland.
He made his provincial debut with the side in 2011 season's ITM Cup against Bay of Plenty. He ran strongly with the ball and was rewarded with a try.
In 2015 he made the switch to Counties Manukau.
JW Aug 17
Career
 |
Southland Inside Centre |
2013 - 2014 |
 |
Hurricanes Outside Centre |
2014 - 2015 |
 |
Hawke's Bay Outside Centre |
2017 - 2017 |
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Counties Manukau Outside Centre |
2015 - 2022 |
