Ali Lauitiiti

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Ali Lauitiiti Rugby League Career : Ali made his senior debut back in April 1998 for the New Zealand Warriors. In 2002 he was named the NRL's second-rower of the year. He was selected for the New Zealand test squad for the 2000 Anzac test but missed out on final selection for the match instead making a try scoring debut against the Cook Islands at Reading in the World Cup. He also scored against Wales in the next game at the Millennium Stadium. He has now played 14 times for New Zealand and was part of the Kiwis side that toured Great Britain in 2002, featuring in seven out of the eight games on the tour, including all three Tests against the Lions, plus games against St Helens, England A, Wales and France. He also scored in the third Test against Great Britain.

Prior to joining the New Zealand Warriors Ali played for the Mangere East club in 1996 and shone as a junior in their U19 side in 1997 scoring 17 tries in 19 games. He went on to gain international honours with the Junior Kiwis that year, and again in 1998. He was an integral part of the Warriors squad that reached the Grand Final in 2002, the first time in the club’s history, however they were to lose out to the Sydney Roosters on that occasion. He appeared in 115 games for the Warriors and scored 33 tries. In 2005 he once again joined the New Zealand squad and scored a try against Great Britain in the Tri Nations after coming on from the bench, and was then part of the successful squad who defeated Australia in the final.

[edit] Leeds Career

Ali joined the Rhinos in May 2004 from NRL side the New Zealand Warriors on a two and a half year contract. When he was released from his contract with the Warriors it sparked a world wide chase for his signature. However, the Rhinos beat competition from 14 other clubs in Australia and England to secure the second rower.

He made his debut for the Rhinos against Salford and took little time to settle in, scoring his first try in the subsequent game against Bradford Bulls. His incredible ball handling skills earned him a place in the Tetley’s Super League Dream Team in 2004 and 2005.

In 2005 Ali scored 14 tries in 32 appearances including 17 as a replacement. His 14 tries includes an incredible five tries against Wakefield when he came off the bench to become the first forward in the summer era to score five tries.

He was part of the Leeds side for the World Club Challenge who picked up honours after defeating the Canterbury Bulldogs in 2005. He also appeared in the Challenge Cup Final and helped the Rhinos to their second successive Grand Final appearance when he scored the winning try against St Helens with an 80 metre run in the Grand Final Qualifier.