Ali Lauitiiti
Encyclopedia
Ali Lauitiiti is a New Zealand professional rugby league
footballer for English club Leeds Rhinos
in the European Super League
. Both a Samoa and New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played in the National Rugby League
for the Warriors
. Since moving to the Rhinos he has won the 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Super League championships with them.
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.
's second-rower of the year. 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.
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.
Ali played in Leeds' three Grand Final wins in a row between 2007 and 2009. He also featured in the 2004 Grand Final winning team and the 2005 Grand Final which ended in defeat for Leeds.
. 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.
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.
Ali was selected to represent The All Golds side in the match against The Northern Union at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington in October 2007, scoring two tries in the match. He has since made himself available for Samoa's World Cup Campaign.
He has been named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
He has been named in the Samoa squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer for English club Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
in the European Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. Both a Samoa and New Zealand international representative forward, he previously played in the National Rugby League
National Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
for the Warriors
New Zealand Warriors
The New Zealand Warriors are a professional rugby league football club based in Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the National Rugby League premiership and are the League's only team from outside Australia...
. Since moving to the Rhinos he has won the 2004, 2007, 2008 and 2009 Super League championships with them.
Early years
Ali played for the Mangere EastMangere East Hawks
The Mangere East Hawks are a rugby league based in Mangere, New Zealand. The Hawks compete in Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial competition.-History:The club was founded in 1964, before this teams from the area had been attached to the Otahuhu club...
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
Junior Kiwis
The Junior Kiwis side represents New Zealand in the sport of rugby league. They are commonly known as the Junior Kiwis, after the native bird of that name. They are not necessarily an age grade side, but the second national team behind the New Zealand national rugby league team. They are...
that year, and again in 1998.
New Zealand
Ali made his senior debut back in April 1998 for the Auckland Warriors. In 2002 he was named the NRLNational Rugby League
The National Rugby League is the top league of professional rugby league football clubs in Australasia. The NRL's main competition, called the Telstra Premiership , is contested by sixteen teams, fifteen of which are based in Australia with one based in New Zealand...
's second-rower of the year. 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.
Leeds
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.
Ali played in Leeds' three Grand Final wins in a row between 2007 and 2009. He also featured in the 2004 Grand Final winning team and the 2005 Grand Final which ended in defeat for Leeds.
International
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 Cup2000 Rugby League World Cup
The 2000 Rugby League World Cup was the twelfth staging of the Rugby League World Cup and was held during October and November of that year in Great Britain, Ireland and France...
. 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.
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.
Ali was selected to represent The All Golds side in the match against The Northern Union at The Halliwell Jones Stadium, Warrington in October 2007, scoring two tries in the match. He has since made himself available for Samoa's World Cup Campaign.
He has been named in the Samoa training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
He has been named in the Samoa squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.