LEIGH LEOPARDS have landed Samoa prop Lazarus Vaalepu from Melbourne Storm for the rest of this season.

The 27-year-old was a 2024 NRL Grand Finalist when Melbourne were beaten 14-6 by Penrith Panthers.

That was only his seventh game for the club after previously playing for Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Sunshine Coast Falcons in the Queensland Cup.

Vaalepu has played eleven times in the NRL for Melbourne (in 2024 and 2025) and this year turned out in eleven New South Wales Cup matches for their second string.

His two Samoa caps came on their 2024 tour of England, the hosts winning 34-18 at Wigan and 34-16 at Leeds.

Leigh director of rugby Andrew Henderson, pictured, told the club website: “We’re really excited to bring Lazarus to Leigh.

“He’s a player with genuine presence, power and punch, giving us a real point of difference within our middle unit.”