NZ rugby league footballer
Vincent "Vinny" Mellars (born 27 January 1984) 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 NRL début aged 19, in round 13 of the 2003 NRL season with the New Zealand Warriors against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
Mellars played with the Warriors throughout the 2003 and 2004 seasons.
Cronulla-Sutherland
In 2005, Mellars signed with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Mellars scored two tries against Newcastle in 2005 including the winning try in Golden Point extra time.
Sydney Roosters
In round 6 of the 2006 NRL season, Mellars featured for the Sydney Roosters when he was chosen to play against Brisbane on the Wing. Mellars scored his first try of 2006 in round 8 against North Queensland. His second try of 2006, was against Souths in round 11 and his third was against Melbourne in round 13.
In round 18, Mellars was called up for the game against Manly-Warringah (to replace Shaun Foley).
Mellars played in the 2006 NSW Cup grand final for Newtown, who were the feeder club for the Sydney Roosters at the time. Newtown would lose the final 20–19 against Parramatta at Stadium Australia.[3]
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.[4] 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.[5]
Super League
Just a few weeks before the start of the 2010 Super League season, Mellars signed for Crusaders RLFC.[6] 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.[7]
In 2014, Vince signed a contract to play with Kingstone Press Championship club Featherstone Rovers.
References
External links
