Considered to be one of the most inventive rugby players of our national team, Hinckley Vaovasa (27 years old) remained without a commitment after parting with Dinamo. In the winter he went to Australia and was later said to have found a team in Italy. The break is now over for the New Zealand-born athlete. Stade Olympique Chambéry, a team in the French third league, announced that it has registered the one who can perform as an opening midfielder and defender.
Vaovasa is also a very spectacular player (PHOTO: Sportictures)
In a post on social media, the Savoy outfit said: “SOC Rugby is pleased to announce the arrival of Hinckley Vaovasa at fullback for a championship! Of Samoan descent and a Romanian international, Hinckley brings a rare skill set and valuable international experience. Coming from Dinamo Rugby Club Bucharest, he has 36 caps for Romania, including participation in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. He scored 9 tries for the team At 27, the 186cm, 90kg defender arrives with a real understanding of the game and experience in major competitions. Welcome to Chambéry!”
The official announcement of Vaovasa's legalization
Born in New Zealand, Vaovasa played at the 2023 World Cup for Romania
Born in Wellington, New Zealand on 24 September 1998, but of Samoan descent, Hinckley Vaovasa Tuiala specializes in the opening midfielder position, but can also play in the other three-quarter positions (fullback, wing and centre). He came to Romania in 2017, being registered at CSM Bucharest. He later played for Timișoara (2019-2021), Steaua (2021-2023) and Dinamo (2023-2025). Naturalized, Vaovasa played 36 matches for the Romanian rugby team, achieving 17 victories. He started 34 games, scoring 9 tries (45 points). Participated in the 2023 World Cup, playing two matches (140 minutes played).
Stade Olympique de Chambéry Rugby (SOC) is a team of the multisport club Stade Olympique de Chambéry in Savoy. Founded in 1943, the team plays in the third league (Nationale). The group was a semi-finalist of the French championship, first division, in 1961. In 2025, it contested the National final, and then lost (15-45) the “barrage” of maintenance / promotion in Pro D2 (second league) with Aurillac, group coached by Romeo Gontineac.
Among the foreign players who have been active at Chambery is the pillar Alexandru Savin, currently a member of the national team and the Rapid Bucharest team.
Vaovasa, a spectator at one of the matches in the domestic championship (PHOTO: Marian Burlacu)
Vaovasa participates with Romania A in a tournament in South Africa
Vaovasa will participate this month in the Toyota Challenge 2026 Africa Euro Series, in South Africa. The selected Romania A will play matches with the South African teams Suzuki Griquas (Friday, June 5, 5:00 p.m.), Toyota Cheetahs (Wednesday, June 10, 7:00 p.m.) and Airlink Pumas (Sunday, June 14, 3:00 p.m.) Along with Romania A, the first representative team of Portugal and the selected Black Lion from Georgia will also participate in the competition. South Africa will be represented by the selected Toyota Cheetahs, Airlink Pumas and Suzuki Griquas. In November 2001, the Romanian champion, CSM Știința Baia Mare, also participated in the Toyota Challenge.
