Vaeiliki is only looking in one
direction

Wigan?s new Kiwi capture David Vaeiliki is aiming to forget an injury nightmare which haunted him during 2004.

The big New Zealander - who has just turned 24 and won seven international caps - was paraded to the fans at the JJB Stadium earleir this week.

He missed most of the last NRL season for his club Parramatta with a severe Achilles problem but is now fully fit and raring to play.

And he told the League Correspondent that he sees his new contract with the Warriors as a chance to put his past troubles behind him and look forward to a bright new future.

He said: "I?m confident I will be ready to start in Wigan?s first game.

"I still had a year on my contract at Parramatta and I wasn?t really thinking of going anywhere because I love the club and I was happy.

"But I had been there for six years, and I just felt that sometimes it?s good to get a new start.

"It makes you try that little bit harder, and after thinking about it, I felt it was a change I needed to improve my game."

Meanwhile, Vaeiliki has also revealed that the club?s strong connection with a legion of Kiwi League greats was a major influence on him joing Wigan.

He added: "There?s a great tradition of New Zealand players at Wigan and that was part of the reason for coming.

"But there?s so much history about Wigan too and the club has been so successful.

"I?m only 24 and I would like to think I?ve got some good years to come.

"To me I don?t feel I?m taking a backward step by leaving Australia. I think it?s going to be just as hard and challenging, but I?m looking forward to it.

"From what I have seen, Wigan is just as professional as any Australian club I have experienced."