Big Joe: I'm blessed to have been part of a great family
9:40am Thursday 21st August 2008
You can always guarantee a laugh and a smile from Joe Vagana, even when he’s announcing his retirement.
That’s been his way throughout his sparkling Odsal career so it was no surprise he was still cracking jokes about what he intends to do when it all comes to an end in a few weeks’ time.
“At this stage I am aiming to win the Lotto just before I head back to New Zealand!” quipped the mountainous prop.
“That will tide me over nicely!
But, seriously, I am just going to head back to New Zealand and contemplate life after rugby, set up home and get back into the swing of things.
“I’ve heard some horror stories from guys who have retired – about having too much time on their hands, not knowing what to do or simply working all hours – but although it’s a scary time it’s also very exciting and a new chapter for us all.”
The chapters incorporating his eight years at the Bulls have been laden with colour, the formidable prop’s presence having formed the bedrock of the club’s most successful period ever.
Think heady nights of Grand Final glory at Old Trafford, Challenge Cups in Cardiff and world domination over Australia’s finest and Vagana – his trademark beaming grin emerging after the heat of another heavyweight battle up the middle – is there every time.
He will make his 240th Bulls appearance in his final home match at Grattan Stadium on Monday, staggering when he admits believing he wouldn’t last more than a year after originally moving from Auckland Warriors.
“I remember the day – January 4 2001,” he said.
“It was snowing, (Stuart) Duffy picked me up and dropped me off at Odsal saying ‘There’s the team down the bottom.’ “I got changed thinking I’d signed for summer rugby yet was playing in this freezing, cloudy, snowy mess and it was only ten o’clock in the morning!
“A week later we’d gone over to Florida for pre-season training. My wife was left pregnant with two kids, she couldn’t drive, had just seen all this snow for the first time and when I got back after America she said ‘Right, you’ve got one year, I’m sick of this country, it’s cold, blah blah.
“I think ever since that first year though she’s been saying ‘Go get another contract!’ “We’ve loved it. She’s not been ready to go home, none of us have; I’ve got three boys who all have Yorkshire accents coming up with slang none of us even know about!
“Originally I never thought for a million years we’d be here for eight but I’ve been really blessed and it’s been great.”
While Vagana set about doing his business on the field, routinely inflicting his sizeable frame on Super League opponents as the Bulls blitzed all before them, he became just as loved off it.
Always one to spend time with fans after matches, signing autographs and doing promotional work in the schools, he was as visible for the Bulls as his Kiwi mate Robbie Paul, quickly becoming endeared to the Bradford public in his new adopted city. “At one stage me, Mick (Withers) and Les (Vainikolo) only lived two minutes 37 seconds away – we timed it! – from Odsal Stadium,” he said.
“So we got to do a lot and enjoyed working with the kids. We’re all fathers now so anything for them, we always put our hand up any time.
“I’d like to give a big thanks to Bradford and all the fans though for accepting us these last eight years, making us welcome – and putting up with me!”
Vagana was already a fans favourite before even putting on a Bulls shirt after belting Leeds’ Keith Senior while playing for New Zealand against England in the 2000 World Cup.
“I went to Pennington’s Club for the Bulls jersey presentation in front of 3,000 people,” he recalls.
“It’s the first time I’d ever been to one and we all went up to get our shirt.
“But they were showing everyone playing on the big screen beforehand and all they showed of me were fights with Keith Senior and Darren Fleary in the Test matches. It just happened to be Rhinos but I think that’s where my bond with the fans started – having a bit of biff with two Leeds players!
“I think Keith had said he was going to take my lunch or something and Fleary had charged down Henry (Paul) five seconds late after a kick so I came back and started throwing some handbags.
“I don’t think I connected but was swinging at the right targets and it was good for my Bradford career!”
How ironic they were getting one of the game’s gentle giants – off the pitch at least.
Vagana can look back on his illustrious career having done it all and admits joining Bradford was the best move he could have made.
“I’ve been very privileged to play at such a great family club and certainly have no regrets signing for the Bulls,” he said.
“Looking back 2001, 2003 and 2005 have all been special years and, although we haven’t been as successful as we probably should have been, 2008 has been a very special one too.
“It’s in times like this we stick tight and we certainly have this year. That goes for the club as a whole.
“We all look after each other. That’s what the Pauls and Tevita Vaikona – the players I spoke to when I was thinking of coming over here – sold me about the Bulls. I could have gone to a few other big clubs but I definitely made the right choice.
“Family is a big part for me; I have a wife and four kids who have been amazing and a great family – players, staff and spectators – at the Bulls. That’s why I have been here eight years.”