Joeli Vidiri

Rugger | name = Joeli Vidiri


nickname =
birthname = Joeli Vidiri
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1973|11|23
placeofbirth = flagicon|Fiji Fiji
height = height|m=1.90
weight = convert|100|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Wing
ru_nationalteam = All Blacks
ru_nationalcaps = 2
ru_nationalpoints = (5)
ru_nationalyears = 1998
ru_clubyears = 1994-2000 1996-2001 2001
ru_clubcaps = 71 61
ru_clubpoints = (280) (215)
ru_proclubs = Counties Manukau Blues Auckland

Joeli Vidiri (born 23 November 1973 in Nausori, Naitasiri Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union footballer who also played for the All Blacks. He plays as a wing. He is 1.90m tall and weighs 100kg.

Vidiri studied at Queen Victoria School (Fiji). He represented Fiji in both 15s and sevens before coming to New Zealand in 1994. He played for Auckland Blues in the Super 12 competition and represented Counties Manukau in the NPC. He only managed to play two tests for the All Blacks before he was diagnosed with kidney illness and placed on dialysis treatment just like his fellow winger Jonah Lomu.

In 71 provincial appearances for Counties Manukau, Vidiri scored 56 tries. He also had a song named after him. He continued playing for the Auckland Blues in the Super 12 until 2001 and in 61 games scored 43 tries, at the time an individual record. But in his latter season he was increasingly affected by his illness. He had only five Super 12 matches in 2001 and after two early matches with Auckland in the NPC he ended his career.

In 2000 Vidiri played for the Barbarian F.C. against Leicester Tigers.

External links

*All Blacks|id=915|name=Joeli Vidiri