Player Epalahame Lauaki

[*Kimmy*_old]

Epalahame Lauaki

​

05/04/2006
XtraMSN

Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary has had a good news-bad news week.

The good came on Sunday as Steve Price and his players came away from Newcastle's EnergyAustralia Stadium with a second successive NRL win there against the Knights.

It was also the Warriors' second win on end this year and only the third time they've secured back-to-back wins since the end of the 2003.

It meant Cleary's job of picking a side for Sunday's Ericsson Stadium encounter with the Manly Sea Eagles was straightforward as he retained the same 17 used in Newcastle.

But the bad news came on Tuesday in the shape of a long-term injury setback for interchange forward Epalahame Lauaki. The 22-year-old, who came off the bench in the first three matches, damaged his shoulder in the win against Wests Tigers forcing him out of the trip to Newcastle.

Cleary said Lauaki would now need surgery after tearing pectoral muscles in his right shoulder. He's due to be operated on this Friday and is expected to be sidelined for four months.

"It's really unfortunate for this to happen to Hame," said Cleary.

"He put in plenty of work in the off-season and in our pre-season trials and was showing real improvement."

Offsetting Lauaki's late defection for the Newcastle match was Sione Faumuina's return from a two-match suspension. He started on the bench against the Knights and has been confirmed there in the squad to face Manly.

The match will be the Warriors' first at home since the opening round of the season when they were edged 22-16 by the Melbourne Storm.

"It's great to be home after three successive away games but this one against Manly is going to be a huge challenge for us," said Cleary.

"While we've had two wins in a row, so have they beating Cronulla and the Roosters. They've also bought a lot of quality players in the last couple of years like Ben Kennedy, Brent Kite, Matt Orford and Steven Bell. We'll need to show further improvement to be in the contest."

The Warriors produced a club milestone when Evarn Tuimavave scored their first try in Newcastle. It was the 1000th since entering the competition in 1995. Interchange hooker Grant Rovelli also scored his first try in NRL football.

While Rovelli's was a breakthrough try, winger Manu Vatuvei maintained one of the hottest scoring sequences in the NRL. His try meant he has scored in every match this season and now has 13 tries in his last 15 first-grade appearances.

At the same time Tony Martin kicked five goals from five attempts taking him past 150 career points. He has so far kicked 13 of 16 attempts, a success rate of 81.25 percent.

On Sunday vice-captain Ruben Wiki will move within one match of becoming just the 49th player to make 250 first-grade appearances since the competition started in 1908.

Englishman Russell Smith has again been appointed to referee a Warriors match after also controlling the game in Newcastle last Sunday.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Lauaki was a disappointing loss, after he started to show some good form in the Warriors last two games.

 

[JonB_old]

Yeah im gutted for Lauki, I liked him, came at a bad time for his career.

 

[tmaster_old]

It's a shame for the young fulla. With Sione coming back into the line-up and the other back-rowers in good form it could be a little while before he can fight his way back into the 17.

 

[sebastian_old]

Steve Mascord just announced on the radio that Hame's manager rang up the warriors told them to stop "the rubbish" & sign him. Steve said the warriors have aggred to a contract with an announcement to be made within the next days. What do you guys think about this?? Personaly i'm dissapointed we'll probally lose Awen a true champion to an overweight butter fingers with a lot of potential who hasn't proved himself. There was nothing said of Wade strangely.

 

[sebastian_old]

Another thing, whos gonna come off our bench when Wiki & Price are off. We have no one else besides Awen who can do that, maybe george t but they gave him the flick.

 

[2big2strong_old]

nah, you never know, we get $100k off gutts contract next year, hame might sign for a 'small' sum of say $80k ( he hasn't proved himself to be worth any more than that although he could very well be) and we keep both.

In saying that, i think Awen is on the way out regardless.

 

[Esoj_old]

well who really knows. I was under the impression it was laukai or gutts but not both. maybe gutts is now gone if this is true.

 

[warriors4life_old]

It depends on their salary whether only one will stay or we can get them both. I'm willing to go either way on this decision, Gutts is playing some great football but is getting on and Hame has a lot of potential and is young.

 

[Iafeta_old]

Hame has a lot of proving to do if he's selected over Guttenbeil.

It's a risky call that one.

 

[STRIDER_old]

Its a brilliant call. Hame has a lot more dynamic ability than Gutts. And when you figure we stuck next to Gutts when he was playing like a pansy for so long, Why the hell wouldnt you stick next to the young potential raging bull.

Hame has all the talent , the Warriors in this new climate of change wouldnt even bother signing him again after already having 2 warriors contracts previously if he was a nothing player. They are keen on him and keeping him for a reason ! ! !

Out of everyone in the sqaud, he's the one to watch if he explodes.

 

[Iafeta_old]

Playing like a pansy for so long?

What?

He had a poor start to 2005, but by about round 12 was regularly cracking 120-130 metres per match, and gaining a lot of players player of the day awards - again.

If he's a lot more dynamic than Guttenbeil, explain why Guttenbeil bust the line open so many times yet again this year, always found his support, and generally created havoc in between making massive metres for the club. You don't need to be outlandishly risky with your key plays like your offloads - Awen Guttenbeil is the most effective offloader bar none this club has ever had. Not Lauitiiti, certainly not Lauaki, not Price, not Wiki, Guttenbeil's offloads are selective and hit the target at the right time on a far greater percentage of occasions.

Awen Guttenbeil is one of this club's greats. Hame Lauaki is not.

 

[warriors4life_old]

Lauaki is in talks with the club for a new contract but Guttenbeil is "100% certain to leave" Source: Sunday Star Times. Guttenbeil's got an offer from the Castleford Tigers and is expected to make a decision in days.

 

[commonsense_old]

i think its guttenbiel's choice to leave the warriors. pretty sure he wants to wind out his career earning big bucks in the uk and of course he deserves it.

i havent lost hope for lauaki yet. it's all about conditioning for him. he has to trim his body weight down and increase his endurance. if not he will be playing a lot of bc games.

 

[MiXmasterreece_old]

LAUAKI RETAINED BY VODAFONE WARRIORS ON NEW CONTRACT

Epalahame Lauaki is the latest off-contract player to be re-signed by the Vodafone Warriors.
The club today confirmed the 22-year-old back rower has a new deal for the 2007 National Rugby League season with an option for 2008.
Vodafone Warriors head coach Ivan Cleary was especially pleased Lauaki had received some good news in a challenging season that has seen him sidelined for more than three months with injury.
“This is a huge positive for Hame in what’s been a tough year for him,†said Cleary.
“He put in plenty of work in the off-season and in our pre-season trials and was showing real improvement early in our NRL campaign.
“His injury was a big setback but his attitude has been outstanding since then. He has done everything asked of him in his recovery and rehabilitation.â€Â
Lauaki’s plans to establish himself as a regular in 2006 were disrupted after appearing in each of the Vodafone Warriors’ first three matches of the season.
He needed surgery after tearing pectoral muscles in his right shoulder during the win over Wests Tigers in Christchurch on March 25.
“Hame’s on schedule to be available again soon,†said Cleary.
“He has plenty to offer us and now he’s in a position to be able to start again and put pressure on others in the squad, which is just what we need.â€Â
Lauaki burst onto the NRL scene in the Vodafone Warriors’ opening match of the 2004 season against Brisbane, going on to make 16 appearances and score four tries in his rookie year.
Born in Tonga and younger brother of All Black loose forward Sione, he was used in only five matches last season.
Apart from Lauaki, other players who have signed new contracts or extensions with the Vodafone Warriors in recent weeks include Ruben Wiki, Simon Mannering, Tony Martin, Grant Rovelli, Evarn Tuimavave and Manu Vatuvei plus Aidan Kirk from the Sydney Roosters and Central Falcons brothers Russell and Paora Packer.

EPALAHAME LAUAKI

Born: January 27, 1984
Birthplace: Tonga
Position: Second row
Height: 184cm
Weight: 110kg
Junior Club: Glenora (Auckland)
NRL Debut: Vodafone Warriors v Brisbane, Suncorp Stadium, March 14, 2004
NRL Career: Vodafone Warriors – 24 games
NRL Points: 16 (4 tries)
Educated: Kelston Boys’ High School

 

[danco_old]

i think its guttenbiel's choice to leave the warriors. pretty sure he wants to wind out his career earning big bucks in the uk and of course he deserves it.

i havent lost hope for lauaki yet. it's all about conditioning for him. he has to trim his body weight down and increase his endurance. if not he will be playing a lot of bc games.

he has to trim down a lot and become a lot fitter if he is to replace awen.

 

[warriorfaithful*_old]

Nice to hear!!!! We are retaining some players instead of looking elsewhere.

 

[Esoj_old]

well lauaki has signed https://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/411749/772594

gutts to go then?

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

Good to hear

 

[fiamacho_old]

No it is not good to hear !!! He has done absolutely nothing in 2006 except iron the jerseys and peel the oranges at half time.

He should of been released !!!