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| Paul Vautin | |
|---|---|
| Name | Paul Vautin |
| Birth date | 1959-03-09 |
| Birth place | Townsville, Queensland |
| Height | 178 cm |
| Weight | 90 kg |
| Position | Lock, Second-row, Hooker |
| Clubs | Fortitude Valley, Redcliffe, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, St Helens (trial) |
| Representative | Queensland, Australia |
| Coaching | Queensland |
| Media | Nine Network, Network Ten |
Paul Vautin is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, coach and television presenter known for his playing career in the 1970s and 1980s, his coaching stint with the Queensland State of Origin side and his long-running role as host of the television program The Footy Show. Vautin gained prominence as a physical lock and hooker with the Manly Sea Eagles and as a representative of Queensland, before transitioning to coaching and broadcast media with major Australian outlets such as the Nine Network.
Vautin was born in Townsville and raised in Queensland where he attended local schools and played junior rugby league in a region that produced players like Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Petero Civoniceva, Gene Miles and Johnathan Thurston. His early career included stints with Fortitude Valley and Redcliffe in the Brisbane Rugby League competition, a pathway shared by contemporaries such as Greg Dowling, Kerry Boustead, Brett Dallas and Hodgson family players. The Queensland rugby league system at the time was influenced by administrators and competitions like the Brisbane Rugby League and the national expansion that later involved clubs such as Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, St George Dragons, Western Suburbs Magpies and Parramatta Eels.
Vautin's first-grade breakthrough came at Manly under coaches including Bob Fulton and against opponents from clubs like South Sydney Rabbitohs, Balmain Tigers, Newtown Jets and North Sydney Bears. He featured in grand finals and representative fixtures, playing alongside teammates such as Brett Mullins, Steve Menzies, Terry Randall and kith—and against leading internationals including Ellery Hanley, Clive Churchill Medal winners and Australian internationals like Kangaroos stars Mal Meninga and Wally Lewis. Vautin earned selection for Queensland and played for the Kangaroos in representative matches, aligning him historically with players selected for the Ashes series and Rugby League World Cup campaigns that involved rivals such as Great Britain and New Zealand.
During his club career Vautin faced off with premiership contenders including Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and Brisbane Broncos, and participated in the evolving landscape of rugby league that saw administrations like the New South Wales Rugby League and stakeholders such as the Australian Rugby League and later the Super League war. His on-field role as a lock and occasional hooker placed him in tactical matchups against forwards like Paul Sironen, Les Boyd, Mark Geyer and Sam Backo.
After retiring as a player Vautin transitioned to coaching, culminating in his appointment as coach of the Queensland State of Origin team. His tenure included selection decisions and campaigns against New South Wales, with series involving marquee players including Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns, Paul Harragon, Brett Kimmorley and Gorden Tallis. The coaching period intersected with administrators and selectors from bodies such as the Australian Rugby League and the New South Wales Rugby League and was set against the backdrop of state rivalries exemplified by figures like Kevin Walters, Matt Geyer and Lote Tuqiri.
Vautin's coaching style and results were discussed alongside other coaches from the era including Wayne Bennett, Chris Anderson, Tim Sheens and Phil Gould, and his time in charge influenced subsequent selections and the careers of players who later became prominent as coaches and commentators such as Mal Meninga and Laurie Daley.
Vautin became a prominent media personality with the Nine Network as a host and panelist on The Footy Show, joining a cast that included Paul Harragon, Phil Gould, Garry Lyon, James Brayshaw, Sam Newman and presenters linked to programs like Wide World of Sports and networks such as Network Ten. His television role saw him interact with sports journalists and presenters from outlets including Channel Seven, Fox Sports Australia, Sky Sports and publications such as the Sydney Morning Herald, The Australian and The Daily Telegraph.
In broadcasting Vautin presented segments alongside media figures like Andrew Voss, Ray Hadley, Ken Sutcliffe and Ian Heads, covering events that included State of Origin, NRL rounds, annual awards including the Dally M Medal and rep fixtures such as ANZAC Tests and International rugby league matches.
Vautin's personal life has intersected with public figures and institutions in Australian sport, and his profile has been subject to coverage by media organizations including Nine Network, ABC and national newspapers. He has been associated with community and charity initiatives common among former athletes, participating in events alongside personalities such as John Singleton, Gordon Tallis, Rodrigo Roncero and other retired players who engage in ambassadorial roles for clubs like Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Redcliffe Dolphins and grassroots entities in Queensland and New South Wales.
Vautin is remembered for contributions to Manly premiership eras, representation for Queensland and for shaping popular rugby league media through The Footy Show. His career is referenced in histories of the sport involving entities such as the Australian Rugby League and the National Rugby League, and he is often mentioned alongside storied figures like Bob Fulton, Wayne Bennett, Mal Meninga, Wally Lewis, Brett Mullins, Steve Menzies, Phil Gould and Paul Harragon. Honors and recognitions connected to his era include premiership medals, representative caps and media industry acknowledgements alongside awards such as the Logie Awards and rugby league accolades like the Dally M Medal and club life memberships.
Category:Australian rugby league players Category:Australian rugby league coaches Category:Australian television presenters