Veteran seeking bright spot in a world of trouble

By PETER JESSUP

It's curious the way trouble not of his making has followed Nigel Vagana.

Vagana is one of the best attacking centres in the National Rugby League.

From his early days in the reserve grade - when the Warriors had a reserve grade - he was a key strike weapon.

He scored 17 tries in 1996, including all three in an 18-12 semifinal defeat of the Brisbane Broncos and one in the 14-12 grand final loss to Cronulla.

But he took his talent to Warrington in England in 1997 because coach John Monie wasn't showing any interest in him.

He was top try-scorer there in a team full of New Zealanders.

But they finished ninth and he was keen to come back to sunshine, family and friends, so he signed with the new-look Warriors under Mark Graham in 1998.

Before that administration collapsed, he signed with the Bulldogs.

Because of salary cap breaches by Canterbury-Bankstown's former administration, Vagana was forced to the outer when it came time to re-negotiate contracts.

Not wanting to take a pay cut, he accepted an offer from the Sharks.

And now the Sharks board and coach Chris Anderson are at odds.

Vagana, 28, is signed for three seasons and says he will go to Cronulla regardless of whether Anderson survives.

But it is clearly something he is not overly happy about.

Neither is he happy talking about the drama the Dogs went through last year and the shadow it left this season, or their exit from the playoffs after being lauded as favourites all season.

Older, more relaxed, less driven for premiership glory than he was, he admits that financial security is a bigger calling to him now than chasing medals and honours.

"There were a lot of factors in the shift to Cronulla, but in the end the decision was made for my family.

"A premiership is less important now than family security.

"I haven't got that long left. I'll be 31 when this contract runs out and maybe I'd look at England again, but I'm looking on this as my last term in the NRL."

He regards Cronulla as a side capable of winning the title, and hopes to improve on what he regards as a less-than-perfect season.

He played all 26 games for 22 tries this season, showing an uncanny knack for scoring against the Warriors as he has done in the most encounters between the sides.

His scoring rate is increasing. He has 98 tries from 147 games, 76 from 61 games with the Dogs, and the 22 this year.

It is a matter of learning how to score, he agrees, knowing when to back up and hit the ball at pace, seeing the play coming and putting yourself in the right hole, running the right lines and cutting the right angles.

Vagana has been relatively injury-free in his career, and hasn't lost any of the pace that scorches cover defenders.

He's thankful for that and for the opportunities he's had.

"It's been good to me already. Anything else I get from the game is a bonus."

The one thing he has not tasted too often is victory over Australia.

Since starting on the bench in Frank Endacott's 1998 team, he has been part of winning Kiwi sides twice.

"I'm always looking for a chance to get one back on Australia. It's a good feeling beating them."

A longer preparation time gives them more chance this time than they had in July, he feels.

"They had eight weeks preparation last time through State of Origin, we had four days.

"We'll be able to come up with a better performance this time."

He is at five-eighth, a key position in the game, and although Motu Tony will probably come forward when they are in possession and on attack to also handle the ball at second receiver, Vagana will cop plenty of pressure from the Kangaroos around the ruck.

He has had little experience in the position since junior grades, and he doesn't have the standard five-eighth's kicking game.

He's not worried about any of that.

"Thomas [Leuluai] is set for the kicking, and Motu can handle some. I've had some experience there.

"And I've got all those big Kiwi forwards in front of me."

He believes the Kiwis might have an edge in the forwards.

"Resolve will be the thing - that's what we were missing in July."

THE VAGANA FILE

Name: Nigel Vagana.

Born: Feb 7, 1975 in Auckland.

Junior club: Richmond.

Height: 1.80m.

Weight: 90kg.

Position: Centre/Kiwi five-eighth

* NRL debut: Warriors v Wests, round three, 1996.

* 71 games for the Warriors 1996 and 1999-2000.

* 76 games for the Bulldogs 2001-2003.

* Warrington 1997, Super League top try-scorer (17).

* NRL record: 147 games, 98 tries. Bulldogs 76 games, 61 tries.

* Tests: 19 since 1998.