Albert Vete


Albert Vete is a Tonga international rugby league footballer who plays as a and for the Melbourne Storm in the NRL.
He played for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League.

Early years

Vete was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He is of Tongan descent.
Vete was educated at Saint Kentigern College, playing rugby union and captaining their first XV to the Auckland title.
Vete switched to rugby league in 2012, signing with the New Zealand Warriors and playing in their under 20's side while studying towards a Bachelor of Physical Education. Vete was part of the Junior Warriors side that played in 2013 Holden Cup Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers juniors, playing at prop and scoring a try in the 30-42 loss.
In August 2013 Vete coached the Farm Cove Intermediate Rugby League Team who lost in the Final to the Sir Edmund Hilary Intermediate Rugby League team at the Pakuranga Jaguars RLC, the same club which produced the likes of Warriors player Ata Hingano and former Melbourne Storm player Matt Duffy.
On 13 October 2013, Vete played for the Junior Kiwis against the Junior Kangaroos at prop in the Kiwis' 26-38 loss. In 2014 Vete joined the full-time squad and played in 19 games in the New South Wales Cup for the Warriors.

Playing career

2015

In Round 1 of the 2015 NRL season, Vete made his first grade NRL debut for the New Zealand Warriors against the Newcastle Knights off the interchange bench in the Warriors 24-14 loss at Hunter Stadium. On 2 May 2015, Vete played for Tonga against Samoa in the Polynesian Cup, playing off the interchange bench in Tonga's 16-18 loss at Cbus Super Stadium. On 7 July 2015, Vete re-signed with the Warriors on a 2-year contract to the end of the 2017 season. In Round 20 against the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Vete scored his first NRL career try in the Warriors 32-12 loss at Mt Smart Stadium. Vete finished his debut year in the NRL with him playing in 21 matches and scoring 2 tries. On 17 October 2015, Vete played for Tonga in their Asia-Pacific Qualifier match against the Cook Islands for the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. He played at prop in Tonga's 28-8 win at Campbelltown Stadium.

2016

In February, Vete played for the Warriors in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.
On May 2, The New Zealand Herald reported five players were stood down from an international test match for mixing prescription drugs with energy drinks on a night out. The recipe can emulate the effect of illicit drugs. Vete was one of the players named who was involved in the activity.

2018

In July, Vete was a mid season trade from the Warriors. He made his Melbourne Storm debut against the Dragons in their round 17 clash.