Footy legend known as 'The Beast' faces life in jail after he was caught importing meth when a cyst on his brain brought his stellar sporting career to an end
- Manu Vatuvei faces life behind bars after pleading guilty to importing meth
- Warriors legend was charged with possessing and supplying drug in 2019
- He initially said he would 'fight for his innocence' but pleaded guilty Wednesday
- Vatuvei will be sentenced in December with maximum charges carrying life
Footy legend Manu Vatuvei is facing life behind bars after pleading guilty to importing methamphetamine into New Zealand after his career ended prematurely following the discovery of a brain cyst.
Vatuvei, 35, played for the Warriors and Kiwi national team over a 13-year career that saw him named the club's record try-scorer and one of the country's most beloved rugby league stars.
His sporting career ended abruptly in June 2019 after Vatuvei discovered he had a cyst on his brain.
A few months later he was charged with possessing meth for supply and importing the Class A drug in December, 2019. He later posted a video to Instagram saying he would 'fight for his innocence'.
On Wednesday, Vatuvei admitted a representative charge of importing methamphetamine at Manukau District Court in Auckland. The charges carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
Rugby league legend Manu Vatuvei (pictured right with wife Jenny) has pleaded guilty to importing methamphetamine into New Zealand
Vatuvei, nicknamed 'The Beast', was a fan favourite at the Warriors, playing 226 games for the club as well as 29 tests for the Kiwis and two for Tonga
Vatuvei, nicknamed 'The Beast', was a fan favourite at the Warriors, playing 226 games for the club as well as 29 tests for the Kiwis and two for Tonga.
His 152 tries for the team are nearly double second place Stacey Jones, earning the love of footy fans with his infectious personality and bruising style of play.
He was charged alongside four others with importing and supplying 2.056kg of methamphetamine across four separate importations in 2019, but his name was initially suppressed by courts, instead referring to Vatuvei in legal documents as 'one of the biggest names in New Zealand sport'.
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His name was suppressed until May 2021, when he revealed the charges in an Instagram video posted to his account.
'In 2019 I was charged with importation, possession and supply of methamphetamine,' Vatuvei said the evening before the suppression order was to expire.
'All these charges are accusations and I'll be fighting my innocence for these charges.
'I know there will be a lot of questions that are wanting answers but I've been advised from my legal team that that's all I can talk about.'
Vatuvei's name was supressed until May 2021, when he revealed the charges in an Instagram video posted to his account
He has been granted conditional bail with a curfew until his sentencing in December alongside brother Mafi (pictured with singer Dinah Jane)
The 35-year-old, who has been working as a real estate agent following his football career, will now face sentencing alongside his brother, Lopini Mafi, and two other men.
Vatuvei's guilty plea to importing meth will see the Crown drop all other charges.
He has been granted conditional bail with a curfew until his sentencing in December alongside brother Mafi.
Vatuvei turned to boxing in 2019 after an injury-plagued NRL season in England.
During this time he discovered the cyst, which prevented him from stepping in the ring again.
The Warriors legend said there had been no signs or symptoms of the cyst. He was forced to cancel others as he felt it was too risky to continue.
