Trbojevic, Vunivalu, Va’a: 20 fastest tries on debut in NRL history
Every kid dreams of a try on debut. Roosters rookie Xavier Va’a waited just 49 seconds for his, topping a Fox Sports Lab investigation for the 20 fastest tries on debut since records began. See all the famous names and watch the clips of their rapid first tries.
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Sydney Roosters young gun Xavier Va’a has enshrined his name in rugby league folklore with just the second touch of his NRL career.
The hulking front rower’s 54th minute try, just 49 seconds after running onto the field, is the fastest debut try in recorded history, according to statistics compiled by the Fox Sports Lab team.
Precise timekeeping for interchange player movements only began in Round 1 2007, so records for when players entered the match prior to 2007 are lost to time.
In the 18 years since no player has waited less to cross the white stripe than Toowoomba product Va’a.
More than 100 family members and friends were on hand to witness the Queensland under-19s representative’s magical moment in the Roosters 42-16 win over Cronulla Sharks in Gosford last Saturday night.
The crowd rose tall and roared when Daniel Tupou batted back a Sandon Smith bomb to help Va’a cross the line.
Here’s a look at the Top 20 fastest debut tries since 2007.
1. Xavier Va’a, Sydney Roosters
Debut: Round 12, 2025
Time taken to score first try: 0:49
2. Suliasi Vunivalu, Melbourne
Debut: Round 7, 2016
Time taken to score first try: 0:59
3. Andrew Everingham, South Sydney
Debut: Round 3, 2012
Time for first try: 1:08
4. Dylan Phythian, Newcastle
Debut: Round 25, 2016
Time for first try: 1:19
5. Tom Trbojevic, Manly
Debut: Round 5, 2015
Time for first try: 2:03
6. Trent Hodkinson, Manly
Debut: Round 2, 2010
Time for first try: 2:07
7. Sua Fa’alogo, Melbourne
Debut: Round 27, 2023
Time for first try: 2:13
8. Kieran Foran, Manly
Debut: Round 15, 2009
Time for first try: 2:32
9. Poasa Faamausili, Sydney Roosters
Debut: Round 18, 2018
Time for first try: 2:57
10. Dean Matterson, Manly
Debut: Round 20, 2023
Time for first try: 3:19
11. Brayden McGrady, Dolphins
Debut: Round 17, 2023
Time for first try: 3:26
12. Siosifa Talakai, South Sydney
Debut: Round 13, 2016
Time for first try: 3:58
13. Jack Reed, Brisbane
Debut: Round 1, 2011
Time for first try: 4:10
14. Dean Whare, Manly
Debut: Round 12, 2010
Time for first try: 4:19
15. Rhyse Martin, Canterbury
Debut: Round 9, 2018
Time for first try: 4:47
16. Fletcher Baker, Sydney Roosters
Debut: Round 2, 2021
Time for first try: 5:09
17. Junior Vaivai, South Sydney
Debut: Round 24, 2009
Time for first try: 5:10
18. Constantine Mika, Newcastle
Debut: Round 12, 2009
Time for first try: 5:17
19. Jordan Rapana, Gold Coast Titans
Debut: Round 18, 2008
Time for first try: 5:19
20. Jamie Humphreys, Manly
Debut: Round 19, 2024
Time for first try: 5:21
Originally published as Trbojevic, Vunivalu, Va’a: 20 fastest tries on debut in NRL history
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