Demitric Vaimauga

{{Infobox rugby league biography

|name = Demitric Vaimauga

|fullname = Demitric Vaimauga

|image = Demitric Sifakula.jpg

|image_size =

|position = {{rlp|SR|LK}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|2004|03|15|df=y}}

|birth_place = Auckland, New Zealand

|height = {{convert|183|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}

|weight = {{convert|104|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}

|club1 = New Zealand Warriors

|year1start = 2023

|year1end = present

|appearances1 = 16

|tries1 = 1

|goals1 = 0

|fieldgoals1 = 0

|points1 = 4

|new = yes

|source = {{cite web | url=https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/demitric-sifakula/summary.html | title=Demitric Sifakula - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project }}

}}

Demitric Vaimauga, (né Sifakula;{{cite web|url=https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2024/09/07/nsw-cup-preview-win-or-bust/ |title=NSW Cup Finals: It's win or bust in sudden-death playoff |website=New Zealand Warriors |date=7 September 2024 |access-date=3 October 2024}} born 15 March 2004), is a New Zealand rugby league footballer who plays as a {{rlp|sr}} for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League (NRL).

Background

Vaimauga was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He was educated at De La Salle College, Māngere East.{{cite news |last1=Kdouh |first1=Fatima |title=Ensure guns are kept safe |work=The Daily Telegraph |publisher=Nationwide News Pty Ltd |date=19 October 2022 |location=Sydney, New South Wales |page=70 |quote=Demitric Sifakula (Warriors) A De La Salle College product, Sifakula is a ball playing lock that also provides some utility value in the forward pack.}} He was an Otahuhu Leopards junior.{{Cite web|url=https://thiswarriorslife.com/2023/02/16/warriors-lock-in-sifakula-until-2025/|title=Warriors Lock in Sifakula until 2025|date=16 February 2023|website=This Warriors Life}}

Playing career

Vaimauga was first signed by the New Zealand Warriors in 2019 as a 15-year-old from the Otahuhu Leopards. In 2023, after impressive performances in the lower grades, and in the Warriors opening trial fixture, Vaimauga was upgraded to a top 30 contract and re-signed until the end of 2025.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrlnews.com/2023/02/16/demetric-sifakula-rewarded-with-top-30-spot-and-new-contract-at-the-new-zealand-warriors-after-impressive-trials/|title=Sifakula rewarded with top 30 spot and new contract at the Warriors after impressive trials|date=16 February 2023|website=NRL News}}{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=David |title=Injury setback for key Warrior signing |work=The Press |publisher=Stuff Limited |date=17 February 2023 |location=Christchurch, New Zealand |page=37}}

Vaimauga made his first grade debut in his side's 14−0 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Mount Smart Stadium in round 9 of the 2023 NRL season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/04/26/nrl-team-lists-round-9/|title=NRL Team Lists: Round 9|date=26 April 2023|website=NRL.com}} In his second match against the Penrith Panthers, Vaimauga was sent to the sin bin by referee Todd Smith for apparently striking Penrith's Nathan Cleary.{{cite news |last1=Long |first1=David |title=Warriors boss close to bagging officials |work=Sunday News |publisher=Stuff Limited |date=7 May 2023 |location=Auckland, New Zealand |page=16}} Vaimauga was not charged by the NRL match review over the incident.{{cite news |last1=Bruce |first1=Jasper |title=Nathan Cleary shrugs off dust-up with Warriors |agency=AAP Sports News Wire |publisher=Australian Associated Press Pty Limited |date=7 May 2023 |location=Sydney, New South Wales}}{{cite news |title=Warriors sponsor pans refs |work=The Timaru Herald |publisher=Stuff Limited |date=8 May 2023 |location=Timaru, New Zealand |page=24}}

On 10 December 2024, the Warriors announced that Vaimauga had re-signed with the club until the end of 2028.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-10 |title=Vaimauga re-signed until 2028 |url=https://www.warriors.kiwi/news/2024/12/10/vaimauga-re-signed-until-2028/ |access-date=2024-12-11 |website=Warriors |language=en}}