Vince Mellars


Vincent "Vinny" Mellars is a New Zealand rugby league and rugby union footballer who plays in the Centres. He has previously played in the NRL, Super League and Air New Zealand Cup and in the RFL Championship for Featherstone Rovers.

Background

Vinny Mellars was born in Porirua, New Zealand. His father, Peter, was a New Zealand international.

Early career

Mellars played his junior rugby league for Wainuiomata and Petone.
After being signed by the New Zealand Warriors he moved to Auckland, playing for Otahuhu in the 2002 Bartercard Cup. He also represented Wainuiomata and Wellington in the Bartercard Cup.

New Zealand

Mellars made his impressive NRL début aged 19, in Round 13 2003 with the New Zealand Warriors against Cronulla Sharks.
Mellars played with the Warriors throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Cronulla-Sutherland

In 2005 Mellars signed with the Cronulla Sharks. Mellars scored a double vs. Knights in 2005 and scored the winning try in Golden Point extra time.

Sydney Roosters

In Round 6 2006, Mellars featured for the Sydney Roosters when he was chosen to play vs. Broncos on the Wing. Mellars was very good under the high ball that night and was probably the Rooster's best player. Mellars scored his first try of 2006 in Round 8 vs. North Queensland Cowboys. His second try of 2006, was vs. Souths in Round 11 and his 3rd was against Storm in Round 13.
In Round 18, Mellars was called up for the game vs. Manly Sea Eagles. He was then in the Roosters line-up for the next remaining weeks and Later on that year, he played in the Premier League Grand Final.
Mellars played with the Sydney Roosters throughout the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

Rugby Union

In 2008, Mellars made the switch to Rugby Union, moving to Christchurch, New Zealand to be with his wife, Charmian Purcell, who plays basketball for the Christchurch Sirens and who has also represented New Zealand at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He was in the Crusaders wider training squad and played in the Air New Zealand Cup for Canterbury.

Return to League

In 2009 Mellars played with the Auckland Vulcans in the NSW Cup.

Super League

Just a few weeks before the start of the 2010 Super League season, Mellars signed for Crusaders RLFC. Only fourteen days later, he made his début in 2010's Super League XV against Leeds where he put Gareth Raynor over the line for his first try for the Crusaders.
Following the demise of the Crusaders, Mellars joined Wakefield Trinity on a three-year deal, starting in 2012.
In 2014, Vince signed a contract to play with Kingstone Press Championship club Featherstone Rovers.