New Zealand Rugby congratulates Victor Vito on 100th Super Rugby milestone   11 Aug 2016

Hurricanes loose forward Victor Vito ran out for his 100th, and last game for the Wellington-based club, in Saturday's Investec Super Rugby Final.  

Vito becomes New Zealand’s 44th Super Rugby centurion, joining a special group that have played 100 games for New Zealand sides. Vito heads overseas to start a new rugby chapter with French club La Rochelle.  After the Final, he will be presented with a greenstone mere, New Zealand Rugby's traditional gift for Super Rugby centurions.

New Zealand Rugby General Manager Rugby Neil Sorensen, paid tribute to Vito.

“Since making his Super Rugby debut back in 2009, Victor has made a huge contribution to rugby in the Hurricanes and Wellington regions.  He is a talented player and an amazing athlete, who has impressed for every team he’s turned out for. He’s a very intelligent man, who has balanced rugby with education, and has been a great advocate for players in formal roles with the Rugby Players Association and Rugby Athletes commission. On behalf of New Zealand Rugby, we congratulate him on the pending milestone and wish him and his family all the best as he looks to continue his rugby career offshore,” Sorensen said.

Hurricanes Head Coach Chris Boyd paid tribute to the immense contribution Vito makes both on and off the rugby field: “Victor is one of those special players who has worked hard to make himself a massive anchor for the team. It will be a proud night for Victor, his family, and for all of us involved with Hurricanes rugby.  We know his focus will be on doing his best for the team in the Final but it’s great to have this opportunity to mark the work he has put in for this team on and off the field."

Hurricanes CEO Avan Lee said Vito had been a pivotal member of the Hurricanes over for a long time: "Victor is Wellington born and bred and has always been dedicated to this team.  He has been highly valued as part of the leadership group and we have been fortunate to have him playing for us for the last 99 games. We wish him and his family all the best as they set off on this next rugby adventure. Once a Hurricane; always a Hurricane."

A veteran also for Wellington, the 29-year-old Vito made his first class debut for the Lions in 2006 as a teenager. He made his All Blacks debut after his second season of Super Rugby, in 2010. He was part of both the 2011 and 2015 World Cup winning sides and finished with 32 Test caps. He was also a member of the All Blacks Sevens team in 2007-08, the national secondary schools side in 2004 and the New Zealand Under-21 side in 2007.

Source: NZRU

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