Surprise 16th for True Blue son

Turning 16 surrounded by friends in the Origin change rooms at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence at Sydney Olympic Park – home of the Westpac NSW Blues – is probably one of the best birthday presents for a young Rugby League player. 

It became reality this week for Lachlan Vella, centre with Parramatta Eels UNE Harold Matthews Cup, who has been selected in the CABE NSW Under 16s City team to play Country this weekend.

The surname betrays a Rugby League pedigree – his father is True Blue and former Test prop Michael Vella.

“I’m very proud to have his name … to be following my dad,” he told nswrl.com.au

“I’m just so excited to be here with the all boys. It’s an unreal feeling – so good.”

The Country-City Under 16s match is the first of three representative games at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah tomorrow (Saturday 6 May). They will be followed by the CABE Under 18s and the Open Men’s Country-City clashes.

The annual Wheelchair Rugby League Country-City will be played in the Queanbeyan PCYC at 4pm to complete Saturday’s program. Sunday games are at Kogarah with the CABE Physical Disability Country-City, followed by the Harvey Norman Under 17s and Under 19s women.

The full schedule of Country-City matches is available on nswrl.com.au.

Entry to Netstrata Jubilee Stadium is $5 and all games are live-streamed on NSWRL TV via the NSWRL Facebook page.

Vella said he had received some good advice from his dad, who played 10 Origins, eight Tests and 159 games for the Eels, followed by 121 for Super League club Hull KR in England – where Lachlan was born.

“He told me to just be tough out there, and don’t give up when you’re tired,” Vella said

“He said some of the best moments of his career were being around all his teammates.”

And so it was in the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Friday as City completed their Captain’s Run and headed for the Origin dressing rooms.

His teammates jumped in ahead to light candles on a surprise birthday cake.

“This is why I like team sports so much. I like hanging out and achieving something with my friends,” said Vella, who plays at centre despite his father earning much fame as a rugged front rower.

When asked why he wasn’t following his dad into the engine room, Vella said: “I have no idea, but apparently my dad did play in the backs when he was younger.

“In junior footy I played a bit of fullback. But I really like the centre – I feel like it’s more me. I’m not sure if I’ll ever end up in the forwards – not planning to.”

Vella is planning to keep up City’s success this weekend. The Under16s beat Country 36-12 last year.

He hasn’t had to alter his wardrobe too much – playing for the blue-and-gold of Parramatta to the same colours with City.

“Both jerseys mean an awful lot to me,” Vella said.