Lauitiiti ready for World Club Challenge

Thursday 25th February 2010

Ali Lauitiiti, Leeds Rhinos' most successful overseas player of all time, is hoping to add to his impressive medal haul this weekend in what could be his final World Club Challenge.

Now in his seventh season at the Yorkshire club, the 30-year-old second-rower is out of contract at the end of the year and is considering returning home to New Zealand.

"It's the last year on my contract so I might head back home, I don't know what's going to happen," he said. "I didn't think I would end up living here more than two years. Time has gone quick, it's been enjoyable."

The former Auckland Warrior has enjoyed the English way of life so much he has decided to take up residency and is currently studying for the Life in the UK Test by the UK Border Agency as part of his application.

"I've got to do an exam before they process the papers so I'm revising and studying at the moment," he said during a break in training for Sunday's clash with Melbourne Storm.

"I have loved my time here in England and two of my three girls have been born here, this is their home.

"That is the main reason why I am going for residency, so it will help them in later life to come back to Britain."

Lauitiiti has won four Super League Grand Finals since joining Leeds midway through the 2004 season, and on Sunday will line up at Elland Road for his fourth World Club Challenge.

The Rhinos - and Lauitiiti in particular - are looking to make amends for last year's 28-20 defeat against Manly Sea Eagles by repeating their 2008 victory over the Storm.

"I didn't have a good game," said the former Kiwi international. "I think I let in a couple of tries, which was the difference. It's a little incentive to do what we couldn't do last year."