KEY POINTS:
David Vaealiki hopes to resurrect his test career when he makes his NRL comeback with Manly next season.
Vaealiki was a conspicuous addition to the Eagles' squad when the grand final runners-up resumed training in Sydney yesterday. He signed a one-year deal with the Eagles after spending the past three seasons with Wigan in the English Super League.
The 27-year-old had planned to play rugby in the south of France until his deal with Sporting Club Albigeois broke down at the 11th hour.
Having been in long-distance negotiations with Manly coach Des Hasler since midway through this season, the Eagles had no hesitation in offering Vaealiki a short-term contract.
And, with family in Sydney's northern beaches, the former Parramatta grand final centre jumped at the opportunity to return to the NRL. Now he hopes it will serve as a stepping stone to a recall to the New Zealand test side.
"That's the main reason why I have come back - I want to play for New Zealand again," Vaealiki said.
A member of New Zealand's 2000 World Cup team, Vaealiki played the last of his seven tests in 2003.
"Obviously I've got to make the [Manly] side first because it's a strong side and there's going to be a lot of competition for places," he said.
Vaealiki will be competing with specialist try poacher Steve Bell and fellow-Kiwi Steve Matai - and possibly even former Eels centre partner Jamie Lyon - for a place in the Eagles' backline midfield.
Lyon spent much of 2007 at five-eighths but Vaealiki said he would love to strike up another prosperous combination with his ex-teammate, who terrorised opposition teams during Parramatta's record-breaking 2001 season.
Although the Eels ultimately lost the grand final to Newcastle, they finished minor premiers and set all sorts of pointscoring records with Lyon and Vaealiki prominent.
Vaealiki believed he had returned from England a more mature player.
"You always change a little bit as a player, but you do become a bit wiser and a bit smarter about what to doon the field and what not to do onthe field," he said. "I've obviously grown older and a bit morewiser about looking after myself.
"It's a tough game and you have to play week in, week out and you play 36 games over there [in England], which is a big ask, and you learn to get through the pain and just get on. I always wanted to do my stint in England, but I always wanted to come back to the NRL."
Hasler will consider Vaealiki as a utility back equally at home at fullback or on the wing.
- AAP
