Powerhouse forward Iafeta Paleaaesina debuted for the Kiwis at the conclusion of his five seasons as a New Zealand Warriors cult hero, while he made a further Test appearance during his first year with Wigan Warriors.The Auckland-born Otahuhu and Papatoetoe junior, of Tokelau and Samoan descent, was just 19 when he made his NRL debut with the burgeoning Warriors in 2001.A fan favourite for his bullocking, long-striding, defence-scattering carries, Palea'aesina became a top-grade regular in 2003 and featured in that year's finals campaign - ultimately playing 83 games for the club.Paleaaesina received a call-up to the Kiwis' Tri Nations squad in 2005, debuting of the bench in a 28-26 loss to the Kangaroos at Mt Smart Stadium and scoring a try after starting at prop in a 38-22 non-tournament Test against France in Toulouse.Joining English heavyweights Wigan in 2006, Paleaaesina was again a tryscoring in New Zealand's mid-season loss to Great Britain at St Helens with a side predominantly made up of Super League-based players.The highlight of his 145-game, five-season stint with Wigan was a Super League grand final triumph in his last appearance, while he enjoyed subsequent stints with Salford (2011-12), Hull FC (2014-16) and Doncaster (2017).