One On One With: Paul Vaughan | The Sporting Base
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One On One With: Paul Vaughan

One On One With: Paul Vaughan

One On One With: Paul Vaughan

As part of our regular segment where we interview your favourite sports stars, We’re going one on one with Paul Vaughan and get to know more about the St. George Illawarra Dragons star.

Personal

  • Name
    Paul Vaughan
  • Born
    23 April 1991 (age 27) Canberra, ACT
  • Weight
    110 kg (17 st 5 lb)
  • Club
    St.George Illawarra Dragons
  • Position
    Prop Forward
  • Nationality
    Italian

Stats

YearsClubTries
2013 - 2016Canberra Raiders85-16
2017St.George Illawarra 4-10
2013Italy6-1
2014NSW Country4-0
2014NRL All Stars 1-0
2018NSW Blues3-0

At what age did you start playing rugby league? 

I started playing footy when I was 8 years old with the West Belconnen United Warriors

Did you have any ambitions to do anything else or was it always about footy?

I always wanted to play first grade when I was young and I put all my time and effort into making sure I would.

In Round 7 of the 2013 NRL season, You made your NRL debut for the Canberra Raiders off the bench against the Cowboys. How did that go? Were you happy with the way you started?

It was such a special moment for me which meant everything to me. It more than exceeded what I thought my first-grade experience would be. We were playing a star-studded cowboys team with an exceptional forward pack so I was nervous but very excited. Played about 20-30 minutes and was happy with how I played.

You didn't have to wait long for your first try with it coming in round 14 against the Panthers. Tell us how the play unfolded and what you were thinking when you knew you were going to score.

I was so pumped because I thought I would never get the chance to score in first grade, being a front rower I was ecstatic. I was about 10 metres out and beat a few to score beside the post. I got the picture framed and hung it on the wall at home.

In 2013 you were picked to play for Italy in the World Cup, what was that experience like? 

It was a great experience. The team was stacked with a lot of talent. It was held in England which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was good exposure being so young at the time too.

In October of 2016, it was announced you had signed a 3 year deal with the Dragons, what or who motivated you to join the Dragons?

I was motivated to join the Dragons because of the great history and the forward pack which I thought was one of the best in the comp. I wanted to be a part of that.

Since joining the Dragons you've scored 10 tries from 42 games, showing a great ability to get over the try line which is rare in a prop. What do you put that down to?

I put it down to the boys around me doing a great job and our hooker finding me nice and close to the line.

Earlier this year you made your NSW State Of Origin debut, how did you feel when you got the call-up?

I felt so privileged and honoured to be a part of something so big I'll never forget the feeling. Something I'm very proud of.

What was it like being part of a winning Blue’s team?

It was such a surreal feeling. The boys were great and like I said I was just so honoured to be a part of something like that. A very proud moment and one I won't forget.

What do you think the Dragons have to do to win the Grand Final next season?

We've got the team to go all the way we’ll take a lot of experience out of this year and put it into practice and execute it next year, which is very exciting.

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