Joe Vagana

Infobox rugby league biography
new = yes
playername = Joe Vagana

---

image_size= 200px
country = New Zealand
height(m) = 1.90
weight(kg) = 130
fullname = Joe Vagana
nickname = Big Joe
living = Yes
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1975|1|21
dayofbirth = 21
monthofbirth = 1
yearofbirth = 1975
placeofbirth = Aukland
countryofbirth = New Zealand
position = Prop
currentclub = leagueicon|Bradford Bulls|size=16 Bradford Bulls
clubnumber = 8
representative = true
club1 = leagueicon|New Zealand Warriors|size=16 Auckland
year1start = 1995
year1end = 2000
appearances1 = 116
tries1 = 9
goals1 = 0
fieldgoals1 = 0
points1 = 32
club2 = leagueicon|Bradford Bulls|size=16 Bradford Bulls
year2start = 2001-2008
year2end =
appearances2 = 435
tries2 = 17
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 0
points2 = 68
teamA = flagicon|SAM Samoa
yearAstart = 1995
appearancesA = 11
triesA = 1
goalsA = 0
fieldgoalsA = 0
pointsA = 4
teamB = flagicon|NZL New Zealand
yearBstart = 1995 -2006
appearancesB = 25
triesB = 0
goalsB = 0
fieldgoalsB = 0
pointsB = 0
updated = 10 August, 2008
source = [http://rugbyleagueproject.com/players/Joe_Vagana.html Rugby League Project]

Joe Vagana (born January 21 1975 in Auckland, New Zealand) is a retired New Zealand rugby league player for Bradford Bulls in the English Super League competition, Vagana has also previously played for the New Zealand Warriors in the Australasian National Rugby League. His usual position is Prop forward.

Vagana is also the cousin of legendary New Zealand centre Nigel Vagana and the New Zealand netballer Linda Vagana.

Auckland Warriors

Joe played for the successful North Harbour Sea Eagles in the 1994 Lion Red Cup. From here he was signed by the Auckland Warriors as they prepared for there debut season in the Australian Rugby League. He made his debut for the club on March 18, 1995 in the Warriors second ever premiership match. Vagana Played 116 games for between 1995-2000, leaving when the club changed ownership.

Bradford Bulls

He signed for the Bulls in 2001. Vagana was formed one part of the Awesome Foursome a phrase coined by the media, to signify the power of the Bradford Bulls forward power, the other three players were Stuart Fielden, Brian McDermott and Paul Anderson.

A destructive tackler and strong runner with the ability to off load the ball. He has been at Odsal since 2001 and rarely missed a game. Joe is one of the most popular players at the club and writes a weekly column for several newspapers and the Bulls Website.

In 2006 Joe was awarded the Clubman of the Year Award. Vagana signed a 1 year extension on the 18h August 2006 to keep him at the Bulls for the 2007 season.

In June 2007 Veteran prop Joe Vagana signed another one-year contract with Bradford Until the end of 2008 season which will probably be his last.

Vagana was senf off for the first time in his Bradford Bulls career against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on 5 August 2007.

In August 2007 he was named Bradford's team of the Century.

Whilst playing for Bradford against Wigan in 2008 Joe Broke his arm attempting to tackle Stuart Fielden he will be out for 8-12 weeks.

Joe is retiring at the end of 2008 season after 7 years with the Bulls.

New Zealand

Vagana has played 25 times for the Kiwis including playing in the 2000 World Cup. After a long absence he was called up by New Zealand for their game against Great Britain in 2006 but did not play.He also represented Western Samoa in the 1995 Rugby League World Cup.

tatistics

Club career

Representative career

External links

* [http://www.bigjoevagana.com/ Official Website of Joe Vagana]
* [http://www.bradfordbulls.co.uk/bb_squad_full.asp?SquadID=25 Bradford Bulls profile]
* [http://www.richmondbulldogs.com/Roll+of+Honour/Joe+Vagana.html Richmond Rovers profile]
* [http://www.slstats.org/?function=viewplayer&player_id=112 Joe Vagana 2003 - Player Stats]
* [http://www.rleague.com//db/player/v/vagana_joe/index.php 200 games for Joe Vagana]