Paterika Vaivai (born 14 February 1992) is a Samoan professional rugby league footballer who plays for the Ipswich Jets in the Hostplus Cup.
He previously played for the Newcastle Knights and Gold Coast Titans in the National Rugby League, and the Leigh Centurions in the Championship.
Background
Vaivai was born in
Salamumu, and moved to New Zealand at a young age.
He played his junior rugby league for the Bay Roskill Vikings in the Auckland Rugby League's Sharman Cup, before being signed by the Melbourne Storm.
Playing career
Early career
After playing with the Melbourne Storm, Vaivai returned to New Zealand in 2010 to play for the New Zealand Warriors. He was a part of their NYC squad but didn't play a game. In 2012, he joined the Newcastle Knights. He played for the Knights' NYC team in 2012,
winning the Knights' NYC Coach's Award,
before graduating to the Knights' New South Wales Cup team in 2013.
2014
In round 9 of the 2014 NRL season, Vaivai made his NRL debut for Newcastle against the
Penrith Panthers.
On 1 November, he re-signed with the Newcastle club on a two-year contract.
2015
Vaivai went on to play five more games in 2015, but at the end of the season, was released a year early from his Newcastle contract,
due to being arrested for allegedly taking part in what was reported as an out-of-control brawl.
2016
In 2016, Vaivai joined the
Burleigh Bears in the
Queensland Cup.
In September, after impressing in the Queensland Cup, he signed a one-year contract with the Gold Coast Titans starting in 2017.
2017
Vaivai played ten NRL games for the Gold Coast club in the 2017 season.
In October, he signed a two-year contract with the
Leigh Centurions in the Kingstone Press Championship, starting in 2018.
2021
On 15 February 2021 it was reported that he had agreed to leave Toulouse Olympique by mutual consent with immediate effect.
On 15 April 2021 it was announced that he had switched code to play for French rugby union club SU Agen in the Top 14
2022-24 Te Atatū Roosters and NZ Warriors (NSW Cup)
In 2022 Vaivai signed with the Te Atatu Roosters playing eight matches for them. He resigned in 2023 but has also played in the New Zealand Warriors New South Wales Cup side and as a result was only able to play for Te Atatū three times with seven appearances for the NSW Cup side. He debuted on March 11 when he came off the interchange bench in a 30–18 win at Allianz Stadium in Sydney.
He re-signed with the Te Atatū club again in 2024 being responsible for training the side and played in their debut win over Richmond on April 6.
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