Schoolboy star’s mission to shake bad habits and rediscover form at North Queensland Cowboys

The 20-year-old touted as a replacement for Peta Hiku was incredibly honest about why his Warriors career never took off and why he came to the Cowboys. Find out his hidden talent here.

North Queensland Cowboys recruit Viliami Vailea arrives in North Queensland. Picture: North Queensland Cowboys Facebook.

Cowboys recruit Viliami Vailea is on a mission to shake off bad habits and recapture the schoolboys form that saw him claim Aorere College in Auckland’s top individual sporting award in 2020.

Vailea has been touted as one of the players most likely to claim Peta Hiku’s vacant right-edge centre position, and his highlights packages have raised more than a few eyebrows in North Queensland.

The 20-year-old dynamo has a rugby union background and his blend of power, acceleration, speed, footwork and balance clearly impressed Todd Payten and his Cowboys staff.

Vailea said his move to the furthest NRL club from Auckland was sparked by a desire to take away bad habits that had crept into his development.

“It’s my first time on my own, I was trying to move away from my family, all my friends back at home, because when I was back in New Zealand I put more of my time hanging around with friends, eat whatever, like island food and stuff,” Vailea said.

Viliami Vailea dives over to score a try during the NRL trial match between New Zealand Warriors and Wests Tigers on February 09, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

“I was more focused outside the footy. Not putting my whole body into the footy is the reason why I’m here. (In NZ) I just put the boys first, like going out to hang out with them every day after training.”

But some words of wisdom from a relative ignited a burning passion to scrap the distractions and reach his potential.

“There’s one thing that my uncle always told me, that I never play like what I played back in school,” Vailea said.

North Queensland Cowboys recruit Viliami Vailea in week one of pre-season training. Picture: Alix Sweeney / Cowboys

“So for me next year, I’m trying to bring whatever I did in school – get fit and do whatever (I can) on the field trying to help my teammates and help the team.”

While Vailea has played 45 of his 49 senior rugby league games at centre (28 in NSW/QLD Cup and 17 in NRL), he revealed a playmaking role in rugby union could see him play a more versatile role for the Cowboys.

“I can play any side at winger or centre, but wherever they put me I just want to give 100 per cent of my focus on it,” Vailea said.

“My first year when I moved (to New Zealand) I played first-five (flyhalf), then in my second year I moved to second-five (inside centre), then I went to fullback.”

Vailea also possesses a solid kicking game and is a capable goal kicker.

Originally published as Schoolboy star’s mission to shake bad habits and rediscover form at North Queensland Cowboys