Ali Lauiti'iti

Alaimatagi "Ali" Lauitiiti (born 13 July 1979) is a former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, as a second-row.

He was touted as "The Michael Jordan of Rugby League" in his playing days due to his large hands and athleticism.

He played rugby league football 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 was an integral part of the Warriors squad that reached the 2002 NRL Grand Final, the first time in the club's history, however they lost the match to the Sydney Roosters.

He made his début for Leeds against Salford and took little time to settle in, scoring his first try in the subsequent game against Bradford Bulls.

He played for the Leeds Rhinos at second-row forward in their 2004 Super League Grand Final victory against the Bradford Bulls.

As Super League IX champions, the Rhinos faced 2004 NRL season premiers, Canterbury-Bankstown in the 2005 World Club Challenge.

On 15 October 2015, it was announced that Lauitiiti would play one more time for Leeds in a one-off exhibition match against New Zealand, one of the countries he had previously represented.

[15] He revealed he retired from rugby due to arthritic knees, partially made worse by his sweet tooth and liking milk chocolate.

His mind was already drifted away from the game the moment he contemplated leaving the Warriors, and his overseas move was purely a way to earn more money to provide for his growing family.

Lauitiiti playing for Samoa in 2008.