Rugby League: Ali ready for the real deal

By PETER JESSUP

Ali Lauiti'iti carries a big label - he's the man dubbed the Michael Jordan of rugby league.

It's not a title he's comfortable with.

At 188cm, with Jordan-sized hands and an athletic ability to match, Lauiti'iti could have been a Tall Black, still enjoys playing hoops and half-court, but is way too humble to promote the Jordan analogy.

At 23, he's grown up a lot since he was plucked from Mangere East junior grades after gaining recognition with the Junior Kiwis in 1997.

He played his first premiership game in 1998, getting one start and five games from the bench that season under Frank Endacott, who was impressed enough to take the strapping teenager on the tour to England.

Lauiti'iti didn't play but learnt a lot. He's since had four tests and looks set for a Kiwi career as long as he wants to make it.

A devout Christian who always looks skyward to thank the Lord after he scores, he has scored 31 tries in 95 games - an amazing average, especially for a second-row forward.

In basketball they speak of assists. Lauiti'iti produces try-assists by drawing in the defence then, when he's enveloped by multiple tacklers, the ball pops out.

When he created a try against Brisbane at Ericsson Stadium last month, skipper Stacey Jones couldn't see how Ali had got the ball free and said it looked "like he popped it out his bum".

But you always had to be ready for Lauiti'iti to do something like that, Jones said.

He's been a boon for the Warriors' attack down the left side of the field and a nightmare for the halves sent out to defend against him.

On Sunday against the Sharks, his coach, Daniel Anderson, is expecting the biggest of big games from the 108kg Lauiti'iti.

"It's in the big games where the big players step up. Look at Gorden Tallis - he kills sides and the Broncos roll off that. Ali will be measured by how well he plays in the finals and internationals."

How good can Lauiti'iti be?

"Look at that 18 minutes the other week [against Canberra, a try, one disallowed]. He can be anything he wants."

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett reckons players start to get really useful after 100 games.

If that's the case, watch Lauiti'iti next season. He freely admits he's still learning. So if he returns the commitment Anderson is looking for, then look out.

When he first arrived at the Warriors, some of his in-game habits caused worry. He often didn't play the ball properly and once gave away a penalty in front of opposition posts when the Warriors were about to score.

Asked why, the coaching staff said it was because he wasn't used to being tackled - when he got the ball, he was used to scoring.

You won't see him give away another penalty like that. The wild passes are rare, his off-loads now produced at judicious moments, the lost balls and error rate pared right back.

He's the NRL's leading off-loader with 77 (few players rate above 40). This year he was named Warrior of the Year by the club.

But he remains the self-effacing South Auckland kid, just a bit more at ease now with his status and the attention it brings from the media.

"The Michael Jordan thing is a good compliment but I don't believe it - I'm just another rugby league player," he said.

"Sometimes I think that's a big name to live up to."

He'd measured himself against players such as Stephen Kearney, Logan Swann and Awen Guttenbeil, the guys who helped him into life as a pro-league player, and he just wanted to be like them.

Lauiti'iti said he had had a feeling the Warriors would do well this season. Now they are, he doesn't feel any extra pressure.

"I just play my role. I want to have a solid game, help the boys."

He's not over-awed by the occasion.

"It doesn't feel like a semifinal. I'm just going to play it like any other game."

There was a rumour he had signed for Bradford this week. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Warriors can count on the big man and his big game-busts and off-loads until the end of the 2006 season.

Right now he can't see himself ever leaving.

"I love it here, I like the club and the guys, my family and friends are just around the corner. And I like playing against Australians."

He likes playing with the Aussies at the club too, confident now to banter in their slang. And they've seen enough of the game to know what a talent Lauiti'iti is, that he's got the standing to take the mickey if he wants to.

Lauiti'iti is typically circumspect about all this - about his ability, the attacking dimension he adds to the team - and runs out his usual line.

"All glory and all praise to the Lord - he gave me the opportunity, I'm just giving thanks and praise back."

For the record

1997 Junior Kiwi

1998 Warriors debut, one start, seven games from the bench, 4 tries

1999 20 games, 7 tries

2000 19 games, 7 tries

2001 26 games, 3 tries

2002 23 games, 10 tries

Total: 96 games, 31 tries