Nathan Vella

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Nathan Vella

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1990|2|10}}

| birth_place = Henderson, New Zealand

| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|108|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}

| nickname =

| occupation =

| school = Auckland Grammar School

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Hooker

| currentclub = {{rut|Bay of Plenty}}

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 = 2011–13

| clubs1 = {{Rut|Auckland}}

| apps1 = 15

| points1 = 5

| years2 = 2013–15

| clubs2 = London Welsh

| apps2 = 32

| points2 = 25

| years3 = 2015–16

| clubs3 = Bedford Blues

| apps3 = 2

| points3 = 5

| years4 = 2016–2018

| clubs4 = {{rut|Canterbury}}

| apps4 = 33

| points4 = 30

| years5 = 2018

| clubs5 = Hurricanes

| apps5 = 3

| points5 = 0

| years6 = 2019

| clubs6 = Sunwolves

| apps6 = 12

| points6 = 5

| years7 = 2020

| clubs7 = Highlanders

| apps7 = 0

| years8 = 2021

| clubs8 = Crusaders

| apps8 = 5

| years9 = 2019

| clubs9= Bay of Plenty

| apps9 = 35

| points9 = 30

| clubs10= CocaCola

| apps10 = 17

| years10 = 2018

| points10 = 15

| amatyears1 =

| amatteam1 = 2018

| amatcaps1 =

| amatpoints1 =

| repyears1 =

| repteam1 =

| repcaps1 =

| reppoints1 =

| repyears2 =

| repteam2 =

| repcaps2 =

| reppoints2 =

| clubupdate = 23 November 2016

| repupdate = Hurricanes }}

Nathan Vella (born 10 February 1990) is a New Zealand rugby union player who currently plays as a hooker for {{rut|Canterbury}} in New Zealand's domestic Mitre 10 Cup.{{cite web | url=http://canterburyrugby.co.nz/the-team/nathan-vella | title=Nathan Vella Canterbury Player Profile | publisher=Canterbury Rugby | access-date=23 November 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123133244/http://canterburyrugby.co.nz/the-team/nathan-vella | archive-date=23 November 2016 | url-status=dead }}

Youth career

Born and raised in Auckland, Vella attended Auckland Grammar School in the city and played first XV rugby with them for 3 years, captaining the side in 2008. During this time, he made his way through the age group levels with his local provincial side, {{rut|Auckland}}.{{cite web | url=http://www.london-welsh.co.uk/index.php?mod=news_view&id=1872 | title=London Welsh snap up Auckland hooker Nathan Vella | publisher=London Welsh | date = 2 December 2013 | access-date=23 November 2016}}

Senior career

Vella started his senior career with his local side, Auckland, making 14 appearances for them across 3 seasons from 2011 to 2013. He then moved to the UK to try his luck, initially with London Welsh who he helped win promotion to the English Premiership in 2014. Latterly he had a short stint with RFU Championship side, the Bedford Blues before returning to New Zealand in 2016.

After a short spell providing injury cover for Super Rugby franchise, the {{rut|Crusaders}} at the beginning of 2016, he was named in their main feeder union, {{rut|Canterbury}}'s squad for the 2016 Mitre 10 Cup. He made 9 appearances, 7 of which were as a replacement for regular starter Ben Funnell and scored an impressive 4 tries which helped Canterbury lift that year's Mitre 10 Cup Premiership, their 8th success in 9 seasons.

{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_26877.html | title=Nathan Vella itsrugby Player Statistics | publisher=itsrugby | access-date=23 November 2016}}

Super Rugby

Vella made his super rugby debit for the Crusaders as in 2016 and in 2018 played for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders. Then in 2019 Vella played for Japanese super side the Sunwolves. When third choice Highlanders hooker Ricky Jackson suffered an ankle injury before the 2020 season, Vella was bought into the side.