Footy star Manu Vatuvei opens up about why his time in jail for smuggling $200,000 worth of meth will haunt him for the rest of his life

• Caught attempting to smuggle $200,000 of meth in 2019
• One-time NRL cult hero remains haunted by stint in jail

By ANDREW PRENTICE FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Fallen NRL star Manu Vatuvei has expressed his deep regret about smuggling meth, adamant his jail experience will stay with him forever.

Vatuvei, 39, was sent to prison in 2022 for three years and seven months for his role in the drug syndicate – before he was paroled under special conditions in May of 2023.

Along with his brother Lopini Lautau Mafi, Vatuvei was caught by authorities removing nine packets of concealed methamphetamine – worth $200,000 – from a package which arrived in New Zealand from India in 2019.

‘The Beast’ knows some footy fans will never forgive him – but he is still seeking redemption, day by day.

‘I take ownership of what I did and I’m accountable for it, and now I’m changing my life again and rebuilding from the start,’ he told the New Zealand Herald.

‘I’m ready to move forward, but it’ll always be on me, everything that I’ve done. 

Former NRL star Manu Vatuvei (pictured with ex-wife Jenny) has expressed his deep regret about smuggling meth, adamant his jail experience will stay with him forever

Before his stint behind bars, Vatuvei struggled with life purpose after retiring from professional rugby league

Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club and scoring 152 tries

‘All the hate that I get, I’ll just use that as energy to show that I’m doing something good.’

Once Vatuvei was released from behind bars, he started working with Dave Letele’s Buttabean Motivation (BBM) team in New Zealand.

Letele is a former Kiwi heavyweight boxer who after retiring from the sport in 2016 turned his attention to motivational speaking and providing food for the needy.

‘I owe him a lot. He (Letele) never looked down at me or anything,’ Vatuvei said.

‘He just took me under his wing and gave me the opportunity, but then it was up to me to work my arse off. 

‘Now I’m working hard and giving back to the community….I also share my story.’

The father of five’s sporting career ended abruptly in June of 2019 after it was discovered the hulking winger had a cyst on his brain.

Vatuvei was a fan favourite at the New Zealand Warriors, playing 226 games for the club as well as 29 Tests for the Kiwis and two for Tonga.

He also featured in the 2011 NRL Grand Final, scoring a four-pointer in the 24-10 defeat against Manly – and his 152 tries between 2004 and 2017 remains a club record.

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Footy star Manu Vatuvei opens up about why his time in jail for smuggling $200,000 worth of meth will haunt him for the rest of his life

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