Farewell to Rugby League Legend - ALI LAUITI'ITI
The NRL will pay tribute to 26 retiring players during a star-studded build-up to the Grand Final between Melbourne Storm and Cronulla Sharks at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tonight.
Celebrations for the retirees started on Thursday at the NRL Grand Final lunch with the Retiring Players 2016 Official Class tribute – bronzed boot presentation. Yesterdays events included the Wellbeing & Education “Play On!” transition workshop & Retired Players function as well as the NRL Grand Final Clubhouse Race Day.
Tonight the NRL will honour the Class of 2016 retiring players by presenting the players on the field prior to the Grand Final kick off to honour the players and their achievements before they're invited to take a lap of honour around the Stadium.
The Class of 2016 NRL Retiring players
L-R Ali, Antonio Kaufusi & Dene Halatau
Ali with his Bronzed boot at the Grand Final Lunch
Amongst the Class of 2016 players retiring, is former Kiwi and Samoa International league legend Alaimatagi Lauiti'iti (aka Ali Lauiti'iti) once considered to be the 'Michael Jordan of Rugby League' who hangs up his boots after 18 years of professional rugby league.
He started his career with the New Zealand Warriors and whilst Ali has played 115 NRL matches, overall he has played a total of 394 club matches. 200 of those with Leeds Rhinos and 79 with the Wakefield Wildcats in the UK Super League competition.
His test career includes 18 test matches with the Kiwis and 4 test matches for Samoa and overall he's scored 121 tries throughout his professional and test career.
Ali now with a poster of him when he played for the Warriors nearly 2 decades ago at the age of 19
Accolades & Awards:
- Dally M Second Rower of the Year in 2002
- Integral part of the Warriors squad that reached the 2002 NRL Grand Final, the first time in the club's history.
- Played for Leeds Rhinos in 4 of their Grand Final wins in the Super League competition.
- Named in the Super League Dream Team in 2005
- For 10 yrs + of service to UK Rugby League he was granted a 3 month testimonial last year
- Voted as one of the 2nd Rowers in the NZ Warriors People's Choice 20th Anniversary Team in 2015
Salute Ali! We honour you as one of our Polynesian and Pacific Island Legends of Rugby League and congratulations on an amazing career! You deserve a well earned rest with your beautiful family.
Ali with his wife Janina and their 4 girls Salome, Ivana, Alaina & Sialei
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