He was gone. Down for the count. Ruled out of playing rugby with a life-threatening heart condition – never to be seen on a rugby field again.
But here he is now, No. 8 of the ACT Brumbies since the start of the Super Rugby 2015 season, and face reigning Super Rugby champions, the NSW Waratahs, at Alliance Stadium on Sunday.
Another good performance will put Ita Vaea at the threshold of Wallaby selection.
This is his story.
Ita Vaea is a humble kid from Tonga who came to Brisbane from New Zealand’s Nelson Bay College at the end of 2007 to pursue a dream – to play for the Wallabies.
I first met Vaea with his parents in late 2007, when I was coaching Norths in the Brisbane premier grade competition and he was a fresh faced 18-year-old kid straight out of school. Open, engaging and full of life. Humble but quietly confident in his ability.
I asked him what his goals in rugby were, and he told me he had just finished school in New Zealand and had to decide whether he wanted to play for the All Blacks or the Wallabies. He chose the Wallabies.
As a coach this was music to my ears, someone actually articulating a defined goal and not being afraid to shoot for the stars.
And so his journey began. Securing the premier grade No. 8 berth, Vaea’s form was such that I believed there was every chance over time he may indeed achieve his objective.
After two seasons with Norths, Vaea was invited to join the Brumbies rugby academy, which saw him move to Southern Districts in 2010, and ultimately force his way into the Super Rugby Brumbies squad for 2011 and 2012, after an injury ruled out Stephen Hoiles.
Just when everything was going well, disaster struck.
In 2012 while playing for local Canberra club the Gungahlin Eagles, Vaea first realised something was wrong. Subsequently at Brumbies training, he was not feeling well and was sent to the hospital.
After a battery of tests, it was finally discovered that he had a blood clot in his leg as a consequence of a tear in his heart muscle.
At the end of the 2012 season, and at just 24 years of age, Vaea was told by his cardiologist he would never exercise again, let alone play rugby, when scans found a further blood clot on his heart.
Forced to give up the game he loved so much, he was placed on warfarin and saw his weight balloon by almost 30 kilograms. And while the rugby community thought they would never see the man they call the ‘Tongan Tornado’ grace a rugby field again, Vaea had other ideas.
Fiercely determined, he set about proving his doctors wrong.
Thankfully, the Brumbies stayed in touch with him and when he made the NSW Country Eagles squad for the NRC competition in 2014, his head coach was none other than Darren Coleman, who was his original coach at the Brumbies Academy in 2010.
When Brumbies backrower Fotu Auelua succumbed to a knee injury requiring surgery in the 2015 pre-season, Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham gave Vaea another shot.
Despite missing the entire Super Rugby seasons in 2013 and 2014, such is the regard that Vaea is held in by the Brumbies that Larkham has rewarded his tenacity with a starting spot in the last four Super Rugby matches of 2015.
And Vaea has responded in the best way possible – on the rugby field.
On Sunday, Vaea is the Brumbies’ starting No. 8 against 32-year-old veteran Wallaby Wycliff Palu. In a game with many intriguing match ups, the implications of rising to the occasion cannot be overstated.
A spot in the Wallabies Squad is on offer. Can Ita Vaea do it? You bet your life he can.
In fact, he is exactly the type of player we need. Big, tough, aggressive, fiercely loyal – humble but with a never-say-die attitude – and prepared to give everything he’s got.
With the first Test of 2015 against the Springboks on July 18, Vaea’s strength, bulk and tenacity might be just what the doctor ordered.
Hoy
Roar Guru
I watched the French test... I can't really recall Palu "dominating". Why would listening to commentators help? Perhaps you and I have different registers for "Domination". Doing ones' job isn't dominating to me. Featuring heavily on a highlights real? Getting one over your opposition consistently? That, to me, constitutes "Dominating". So you pulled one game from last year's internationals... against the French in Australia, and want me to think that Palu "Dominates"? Palu has been benefitting from the lack of real competitors for his spot in Australia. There are no other big 8s pushing him. Higgers is a 6 really, and a wide running one at that... Schatz isn't a huge hulking 8, smashing metres down field... McCalman is a worker, but give him the ball in space, and pretty quickly he looks like he is on a treadmill... There are just no great 8s in Aus right now.
pick & go..!!
Guest
So you also missed the last test against the French last year? Do you watch any rugby or just listen to the commentators?
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Great piece Chris, I don't much about Vaea so looking forward to seeing him today against Cliffy. Bit of a wet day in Sydney so expecting a slugfest.
Hoy
Roar Guru
That's all well and good, but when has he dominated for the Wallabies? As I said, he had one very good season, and some solid games since, but to call Palu dominant is a step too far.
pick & go..!!
Guest
You are correct Hoy & I'm glad that Willie O stayed here & represented the Wallabies. Because if you ask a lot of the Pacific islanders especially those who are Tongan, George Smith, Palu etc or any Tongan that played rugby in that generation. Who there favorite player was? They would tell you it's Willie O without a doubt. I remember when Willie O was playing for the Wallabies. Tongan kids would come down to the Manly Marlins ( which was Willie O's club ) wanting to play rugby & all wanting to play blindside.. lmao
pick & go..!!
Guest
Watch any super rugby last year? Or just watch the super rugby final where Palu even after being knocked out cold, still came back & was more dominant than arguably the best #8 in the world in Kieran Read.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Willie O had a visa problem after playing for NZ Schools or under 20s didn't he? That was the reason he stayed on here, and ended up playing in gold, not black.
Hoy
Roar Guru
Is Palu that dominant? I will say he had a cracking season that culminated in him being given 10 in the bin for that perfectly legal hit on Kearney years ago... but since then... has he dominated?
Who?
Guest
Birdy, it doesn't seem uncommon for Tongans to have a greater affinity for the Gold than the Evil Darkness. He's not the only one. I've read theories that it goes back to our history, with guys like George Smith, Toutai Kefu, and, more importantly, Willie Ofahengaue playing in Gold. And the pattern's continued beyond Ita - the Reds signed Taniela Tupou (Tongan Thor for the less informed among us :-P ) off the back of his desire to wear Gold instead of Black. Absolutely amazed at Ita's efforts this season, amazing achievement to make it back, his play's been sublime, and he's got to be at the front of the pack for that Gold #8 jersey...
A-A Ron
Guest
He sees white and gold instead of blue and black.
Birdy
Guest
I wish the young man well. Hopefully, as his heart condition was a blood clot rather than anything congenital he may well be fully cured and have no re-occurrence. Any particular reason he 'chose' the Wallabies above NZ? He doesn't seem to have any connection with Australia at all before 'deciding' he wanted to be a Wallaby.
Ilikedahoodoogurusingha
Guest
He was given the all clear MS.
Demak
Roar Rookie
Brilliant
Harry
Guest
Great reading though what a shame he couldn't have been in a Red jersey!
Magic Sponge
Guest
Is having an awesome year but no mention in the article if he has been cleared by the doctors or just risking his life and may drop dead on the rugby field.
Akari
Roar Rookie
Wonderful tenacity to make it back to the top level rugby and Ita Vaea is certainly the new blood that the WBs need to reinvigorate their forward play and make a difference. A further find or two at prop and in the 2nd row are Cheika's main job over the next few months. The last thing the WBs need, IMHO, is to select the same old battered players for the RWC.
Hambone
Guest
Great story, even better read. nothing like proving the shrinks wrong and coming out on top..
Nigel Imrie
Guest
As another rugby man who was born in Tonga and played all my rugby in Sydney in the Shute Sheild in the eighties I knew one day that our beloved Wallabies would be dominated by South Pacific Islanders and it is proving to be so. Young Vaea is yet another case of a young man whether Tongan or not who has the passion to want to represent our Wallabies and it is that knowing, that commitment that makes those young men great rugby men. He brings to mind our incumbent openside and captain Michael Hooper, another player with greatness written all over him. If we can bring these like minded young men together then we are on the cusp of another truly great Wallaby team. My hero the great Mark Loane would be proud of Vaea to wear the number eight for the Wallabies I'm sure!!
Pete Mackin
Guest
Great article Chris, Loved this story. Have enjoyed your perspectives over the past few months, you are putting a pen to just what the rest of us are thinking. Enjoyed hearing your story of meeting the Queen on Rugby HQ this week. (Although your version in Dublin was a little sharper). "I guess when you’re out, you’re out" Look forward to many more!
Ando
Guest
Out of interest, does anyone know how he managed to return to fitness/good health despite the fairly clear warning from the cardiologist?