Lauaki, Epalahame

Epalahame LAUAKI [Player Stats]


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Lauaki signs to remain with the Vodafone Warriors for 3 years
Mon October 29, 2007
Source: www.warriors.co.nz

Epalahame Lauaki has rounded off the biggest week of his career by signing to stay with the Vodafone Warriors until the end of the 2010 NRL season.

The announcement comes just days after the 23-year-old back rower learnt he would make his test debut for the Kiwis against Great Britain in Huddersfield this morning (Sunday, October 28, New Zealand time).

His selection means he has emulated his All Black brother Sione by becoming a test footballer.

His debut followed another career highlight when he played alongside legendary Kiwis Ruben Wiki, Stacey Jones and Nigel Vagana in the Wayne Bennett-coached All Golds against the Northern Union in Warrington last Saturday.

Lauaki said it had been a week ? and a year ? he'd never forget.

"It was great playing with the boys in the All Golds and learning from Wayne as our coach," he said.

"Going to Buckingham Palace was a big thrill, too.

"It was awesome getting named to play my first test and now I also know I am going to be with the Vodafone Warriors for another three years.

"I love it at the Vodafone Warriors and Ivan (Cleary) and the coaches are helping me heaps to become a better player."

Coach Cleary said Lauaki had developed significantly over the last two seasons.

"His progress has been terrific since coming back from injury late last year," he said.

"He worked hard in the off-season, got himself into good shape and earned the right to be a regular first grader throughout 2007.

"Hame has come a long way and there's still a lot of improvement in him."

Lauaki had accumulated just 29 NRL appearances by the end of the 2006 season, his third since his debut in the opening round in 2004.

But in 2007 he missed just two of the Vodafone Warriors' 26 matches, going on to join the group of players with 50-plus appearances for the club. In the process he built a reputation as one of the competition's most destructive interchange forwards.

He also benefited from the experience of playing finals football for the first time.

EPALAHAME LAUAKI

Born: January 27, 1984
Birthplace: Felemea Ha'api, Tonga
Position: Second row
Height: 184cm
Weight: 108kg
Junior Clubs: Waitemata, Glenora (Auckland)
NRL Debut: v Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium, March 14, 2004 (Round 1)
Club Number: 110
NRL Career: 53 appearances, 2004-07
NRL Points: 40 (10 tries)
Representative: Kiwis 2006-07 (one test)
All Golds 2007
New Zealand A 2006
Kiwi Number: 734
Educated: Kelston Boys' High School (Auckland)


News sent by: www.warriors.co.nz


Lauaki picked to make Test debut
Thu October 25, 2007
by NZRL
Warriors back rower Epalahame Lauaki will join his older brother and All Black Sione as a test footballer when he makes his debut for the Kiwis in the first test against Great Britain in Huddersfield on Saturday.

The 23-year-old Lauaki is one of two Kiwi debutants for the Galpharm Stadium test along with Sydney Roosters fullback Sam Perrett (22).

Lauaki was first selected for the Kiwis last year, playing only in their non-test match against the New Zealand Residents in Greymouth. Last weekend he appeared for the All Golds in their clash against the Northern Union marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of international rugby league.

Lauaki will be on a bench which also includes his Warriors team-mates Sam Rapira and the Warrington-bound Louis Anderson plus Brisbane utility Greg Eastwood.

Perrett replaces the injured fullback Krisnan Inu in a backline showing some other changes as well. Coming in on the wing for Luke Covell, who was cruelly injured in the opening minutes of his debut in Wellington, is giant Bradford Bulls winger Tame Tupou. The 196cm Tupou, formerly with the Brisbane Broncos, came into the Kiwis as a replacement on Sunday night after turning out for the All Golds in Warrington. He played three tests for the Kiwis last year.

The experienced Paul Whatuira remains in the centres as he eyes his 13th test at a ground which will be home for him next year when he takes up his contract with the Huddersfield Giants in the English Super League. His partner in the midfield will be Bradford's Shontayne Hape, used off the bench in Wellington.

Coach Gary Kemble has named a new halves combination featuring two players making a return to test football.

Wigan's Thomas Leuluai is recalled at halfback after last appearing in the 2006 Anzac Test against Australia; he teamed up with Stacey Jones for the All Golds last Saturday.

South Sydney's Jeremy Smith, who was at halfback in the Centenary Test against Australia, was omitted from the 19-man squad named on Monday.

The Kiwis will start with the same forwards combination used in Wellington.

"We have spent a lot of time discussing the halves," said Kemble.

"With the World Cup coming up next year, we have to look at our options at halfback and standoff. It was never going to be easy once Stacey (Jones) finished up but we have faith in Thomas and Lance providing a better combination for this test."

Kemble said performances for the All Golds had also played a significant part in the selection process.

Perrett, Tupou, Leuluai, Eastwood, Anderson and Lauaki have all been chosen for the Huddersfield test on the back of their efforts in Warrington.

1. Sam Perrett
2. Tame Tupou
3. Shontayne Hape
4. Paul Whatuira
5. Taniela Tuiaki
6. Lance Hohaia
7. Thomas Leuluai
8. Roy Asotasi (c)
9. Dene Halatau
10. Fuifui Moimoi
11. Simon Mannering
12. Frank Pritchard
13. Jeremy Smith

Interchange:
14. Greg Eastwood
15. Louis Anderson
16. Sam Rapira
17. Epalahame Lauaki

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF NEW ZEALAND RUGBY LEAGUE

Sun June 24, 2007
• Warriors make significant moves in recruitment programme
  
Wed October 4, 2006
• New Zealand Tri Nations Squad
  

====================================================================================================== 2008 NRL Telstra Premiership New Zealand Warriors 13 games; [View] Round 1 [17 Mar 08] L 18-32 v Storm (A). [BE] [View] Round 2 [23 Mar 08] W 30-16 v Eels (H). [BE] [View] Round 3 [31 Mar 08] L 6-52 v Sea Eagles (A). [BE] [View] Round 4 [06 Apr 08] W 26-20 v Knights (H). [BE] [View] Round 5 [13 Apr 08] W 36-16 v Bulldogs (H). [BE] [View] Round 6 [19 Apr 08] L 20-48 v Cowboys (A). [BE] [View] Round 7 [27 Apr 08] L 24-36 v Gold Coast (A). [BE] [View] Round 8 [04 May 08] W 14-6 v Raiders (H). [SR] [View] Round 10 [18 May 08] L 22-46 v Panthers (A). [SR] [View] Round 11 [25 May 08] L 12-38 v Roosters (H). [SR] [View] Round 12 [31 May 08] W 18-16 v Knights (A). [BE] [View] Round 13 [06 Jun 08] L 28-35 v Rabbitohs (H). [SR] [View] Round 15 [22 Jun 08] L 14-20 v Sea Eagles (H). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2007 NRL Telstra Premiership New Zealand Warriors 21 games; 5 tries, 20 points. [View] Round 1 [17 Mar 07] W 34-18 v Eels (H). [BE] [View] Round 2 [25 Mar 07] W 24-14 v Broncos (H). [BE] [View] Round 3 [01 Apr 07] L 12-30 v Storm (A). [BE] [View] Round 4 [08 Apr 07] L 10-13 v Sea Eagles (A). [BE] [View] Round 5 [15 Apr 07] W 34-14 v Cowboys (H). [BE] [View] Round 7 [29 Apr 07] W 18-16 v Rabbitohs (A). [BE] [View] Round 8 [05 May 07] L 20-22 v Sharks (H). [BE] [View] Round 10 [20 May 07] L 26-30 v Tigers (H). [BE] [View] Round 12 [03 Jun 07] L 20-40 v Bulldogs (H). [BE] [View] Round 13 [10 Jun 07] L 2-4 v Storm (H). [BE] [View] Round 14 [16 Jun 07] W 12-2 v Sharks (A). [BE] [View] Round 15 [22 Jun 07] W 54-14 v Panthers (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 16 [30 Jun 07] W 22-6 v Gold Coast (A). [BE] [View] Round 17 [07 Jul 07] L 12-18 v Cowboys (A). [BE] [View] Round 18 [15 Jul 07] W 44-16 v Dragons (H). [BE] [View] Round 19 [22 Jul 07] W 28-16 v Tigers (A). [BE] [View] Round 20 [28 Jul 07] W 52-10 v Knights (H). [BE] [View] Round 21 [05 Aug 07] D 31-31 v Roosters (A). [BE] 8 Pts; 2t [View] Round 23 [18 Aug 07] L 24-26 v Raiders (A). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 24 [26 Aug 07] W 36-14 v Sea Eagles (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 25 [01 Sep 07] W 24-20 v Panthers (A). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2006 NRL Telstra Premiership New Zealand Warriors 8 games; 1 tries, 4 points. [View] Round 1 [12 Mar 06] L 16-22 v Storm (H). [BE] [View] Round 2 [18 Mar 06] L 14-22 v Eels (A). [BE] [View] Round 3 [25 Mar 06] W 26-10 v Tigers (A). [BE] [View] Round 22 [05 Aug 06] W 12-10 v Sharks (H). [BE] [View] Round 23 [12 Aug 06] W 26-0 v Cowboys (H). [BE] [View] Round 24 [19 Aug 06] W 24-20 v Storm (A). [BE] [View] Round 25 [27 Aug 06] W 42-16 v Roosters (H). [BE] 4 Pts; 1t [View] Round 26 [03 Sep 06] L 12-36 v Broncos (A). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2005 NRL Telstra Premiership New Zealand Warriors 5 games; [View] Round 6 [17 Apr 05] W 30-26 v Knights (A). [BE] [View] Round 8 [01 May 05] L 14-16 v Panthers (H). [BE] [View] Round 9 [07 May 05] L 24-28 v Sharks (A). [BE] [View] Round 15 [18 Jun 05] L 18-28 v Eels (A). [BE] [View] Round 24 [20 Aug 05] L 4-16 v Knights (H). [BE] ====================================================================================================== 2004 NRL Telstra Premiership New Zealand Warriors 2 games; [View] Round 1 [14 Mar 04] L 20-28 v Broncos (A). [BE] [View] Round 2 [20 Mar 04] L 10-16 v Dragons (H). [BE] ======================================================================================================

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