Joseph Sonny Vagana (born 21 January 1975), also known by the nickname of "Big Joe", is a former professional rugby league footballer who played as a Prop forward in the 1990s and 2000s. During his career Vagana played for the Auckland Warriors, and the Bradford Bulls, and also represented both Samoa and New Zealand in international competition.[1]
As Super League champions Bradford faced National Rugby League premiers Wests Tigers in the 2006 World Club Challenge. Vagana played from the interchange bench in the Bradford Bulls' 30–10 victory. A destructive tackler and strong runner with the ability to off load the ball, Vagana rarely missed a game for the Bradford Bulls and became one of the most popular players at the club. He also wrote a weekly column for several Bradford newspapers and the Bradford Bulls' website. In 2006 Vagana was awarded the Bradford Bulls' Clubman of the Year Award. He signed a one-year extension on 18 August 2006 to keep him at the Bradford Bulls for the 2007 season. After a long absence he was called up by New Zealand for their game against Great Britain in 2006 but did not play in the match. In June 2007 Vagana signed another one-year contract with Bradford, signalling his intent to play out the 2008 season. Vagana was sent off for the first time in his Bulls career against Wakefield Trinity Wildcats on 5 August 2007. In August 2007 he was named in Bradford's team of the Century. In 2008 whilst playing for Bradford against Wigan Vagana broke his arm attempting to tackle Stuart Fielden. Vagana retired at the end of the 2008 season after 8 years with the Bradford Bulls.[4][5][6] In 2009 and 2010 he coached the East Coast Bays Barracudas alongside Willie Swann.