Rugby: Vaega brothers set for ITM showdown

Matt Vaeaga. Photo / Getty Images.

You might expect some banter but Matt Vaega says very little will be said around the breakfast table this morning as he gears up to play his big brother Cardiff Vaega.

Matt will wear the North Harbour No 13 jersey and, as luck would have it, so will Cardiff for Counties Manukau in this afternoon's ITM Cup crossover clash in Albany. This will be just the second time they have played against each other, the first earlier this year when Matt's Blues Development XV opposed Cardiff's Chiefs Development XV.

"I didn't play too well. He played well, but we ended up winning in the end," says Matt, who turned 21 on Monday. Celebrations are on hold until later tonight.

"It's my cousin's birthday, so hopefully we'll do something with the family!"

Father To'o Vaega, the great Manu Samoa centre, is often sideline, especially for games in the northern region, though Matt says his mum generally comes to the closer games involving Cardiff, himself and little brother TJ, who is in the NZ Schools camp this weekend.

The older brothers may not clash too often directly, due to the one-out defence, but Cardiff carries a bit more size, so Matt and second five Michael Little will do well to not give him much room. Little's father, former All Black Walter Little, who coached Glenfield this year, has come into the Harbour set-up as a technical advisor.

That can only help Vaega and this young backline, which showed signs of progress on attack, despite the 48-32 Shield defeat to Hawke's Bay last weekend. Ironically, it was probably North Harbour's best display of 2015, but they will need to be more accurate on defence.

"We came out with a few positives and hopefully we can take some momentum into this week. The guys are getting more front foot ball and backing ourselves," said Vaega.

Central to their aims is left wing Tevita Li, who scored a brace against Hawke's Bay.
Vaega is wary of the Steelers' threats, though they yet to show their flair consistently in 2015.

'You never know what they can bring. They've got big ball runners and hot feet in the backline, so they could run it from anywhere."

Harbour coach Steve Jackson, who was Tana Umaga's assistant at Counties Manukau in 2012-13, has opted for an unchanged 23, a rarity in the ITM Cup. Fullback Matt McGahan and lock Hayden Triggs have their blazer (15th) games. Harbour have not won this fixture since 2009, but need points to stay in touch in the Championship, while the Steelers are 1-4 in the Premiership, in sixth position. They will miss their best player, No 8 Maama Vaipulu, who has a minor hand injury. Jordan Taufua slots into the back of the scrum, while first five Piers Francis, returning from concussion, is bracketed with Nathan de Thierry.

North Harbour: Matt McGahan, Nafi Tuitavake, Matt Vaega, Michael Little, Tevita Li, Daniel Halangahu, Bryn Hall (c), Hapakuki Moala-Liava'a, James Doyle, Chris Vui, Hayden Triggs, Gerard Tuioti-Mariner, Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Nic Mayhew; Reserves: Ray Niuia, Adrian Smith, Alex Woonton, Jordan Manihera, Josh Blucher, David Bason, Josh Rowland, Junior Tofa-Va'a

Counties Manukau: Toni Pulu, Frank Halai, Cardiff Vaega, Johnny Fa'auli, Sam Vaka, Piers Francis/Nathan de Thierry, Richard Judd, Jordan Taufua, Sam Henwood, Jimmy Tupou (c), Sikeli Nabou, Viliame Rarasea, Jarrod Firth, Gafatasi Sua, Pauliasi Manu; Reserves: Sione Anga'aelangi, Sean Bagshaw, Sam Aiono, Michael Lea, Onosa'i Auva'a, Kane Hancy, Nathan de Thierry/Riley Hohepa

ITM Cup crossover
North Harbour v Counties Manukau
QBE Stadium, Albany
Saturday, 2.35pm