Three-try Vatuvei credits team-mates

BY ROBERT LOWE

A pain-free Manu Vatuvei has credited his teammates for his spectacular start to the new National Rugby League (NRL) season.

Vatuvei grabbed a hat-trick of tries against Cronulla in Auckland last night to help the Warriors to a 30-16 victory.

None of touchdowns came from kicks, but they were the result of the ball being worked to the giant winger, who applied the finishing touch with his power and pace.

The haul gave Vatuvei a tally of five tries in just two matches, after his brace in the first round loss away to Gold Coast.

"I'm pretty lucky and happy to score three tries, but I wouldn't have done it without the help of our forwards and backs," he said.

"All the forwards were putting a dent in the Sharks and compressing their line. It gives me a few metres outside and I just try to do my best to get across the line."

Vatuvei, 24, has now scored 63 tries in his 96 NRL appearances, taking him to second on the Warriors' all time list behind club legend Stacey Jones on 77.

Since the start of 2008, his tally is almost one a match, with a return of 34 from 38.

Last year, he battled through with knee problems that forced him out of the Kiwis' end-of-year Four Nations campaign, but still managed 13 from 19.

After a solid pre-season, he entered the new season feeling in great shape and with the pain gone from his knee.

Against Cronulla, Vatuvei showed more than just finishing ability because he helped out his forwards with 15 carries for 184 metres.

"It's just part of my role this season to get more in the game," he said.

"The forwards do most of the carries and I don't want just to sit on wing."

Vatuvei's present fortunes are a turnaround from his predicament three years ago, when a nightmare game with his hands against Parramatta led to opposition kickers targeting his flank.

Coach Ivan Cleary said Vatuvei deserved all the plaudits he got and praised him for his mental fortitude.

"He's got an incredibly strong character and that goes way back to 2007 when he was basically ridiculed in the league," he said.

"A lot of guys wouldn't have been able to handle what was thrown at him."

Cleary said Vatuvei had better hands than he was given credit for and the Warriors had never doubted his value to the team.

"The boys always enjoyed playing with him," he said.

"He has worked really hard to get where he is and hopefully there's still a fair way to go. He deserves everything he gets."

While Vatuvei's performance was a highlight, there was disappointing news before the match with halfback Brett Seymour, originally named to start, ruled out for six to eight weeks.

Seymour broke his left thumb in his debut for the Warriors against Gold Coast and underwent surgery last Friday.

The injury meant the former Shark missed facing the club which sacked him last year for alcohol-related incidents.

"It's definitely disappointing," Cleary said.

"He's gone through so much to get out doing what he loves doing most, so it's a little bit of a setback there, but I guess to happen so early in the year, that's a positive."

- NZPA