Lauitiiti latest ex-Rhino to return for Kiwis game

   15/10/2015

Leeds Rhinos have announced that another famous ex-player will wear their shirt for one final time against New Zealand next Friday – with Ali Lauitiiti following in the footsteps of Adrian Morley.

The Rhinos announced on Wednesday that Morley would play one final game in Rugby League for Leeds, when they take on the world’s top ranked side at Headingley next week.

And now Lauitiiti, who left the Rhinos to move across West Yorkshire and play for Wakefield, has accepted an invitation to return to Leeds for one night only.

The former New Zealand international joined the Rhinos in May 2004 and went on to have a glittering career at the club as one of the most exciting players to ever feature for Leeds in their 120 year history. He played his 200th and final game for the club in the 2011 Grand Final win at Old Trafford and this season helped secure Wakefield’s place in the First Utility Super League in 2016 with victory in the Million Pound Game.

Commenting on the announcement, Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said: “We are delighted that Ali has accepted our invitation to play for the Rhinos one last time.
“The reception he always receives from the Leeds fans whenever he has returned to Headingley Carnegie with Wakefield shows the love and respect Rhinos supporters still have for him and it should make it an unforgettable evening to see him back in blue and amber.”