Born: 27 January, 1984 – Felemea Ha’api, Tonga Test record: 2 Tests (2007) – 0 points Tours: 2007 tour of Great Britain and France
Hulking Warriors forward Epalahame Lauaki played two Tests for the Kiwis at the end of a career-best 2007 campaign.
Born in Tonga, the Glenora Bears product represented the 2002 Junior Kiwis, while his rookie-season efforts were a rare bright spot for the embattled Warriors in 2004, playing 16 NRL games.
The 110kg beast struggled to build on his breakout year initially – turning out just 13 times in first grade in 2005-06, though he did earn New Zealand A selection in the latter year – but he resurfaced as a valuable interchange weapon in 2007. Lauaki missed only two games as the Warriors surged to a top-four finish.
Named in New Zealand’s post-season touring squad, Lauaki came off the bench in the All Golds’ commemorative match against Northern Union and was an interchange in the first and third Tests of a disappointing 3-0 series loss to Great Britain.
After missing the Warriors’ memorable 2008 finals runs, Lauaki played for Tonga in a pre-World Cup fixture against the Kiwis and featured in three matches at the tournament for the Pacific nation.
Lauaki headed to England in 2009 and played more than 90 games across five seasons for Hull FC and Wigan. He also turned out for Exiles against England in the 2012 International Origin series. Linking with Manly in 2014 failed to produce a NRL call-up and he returned to England with Bradford Bulls.
Lauaki’s older brother, Sione, played 17 Tests for the All Blacks from 2005-08.
