Lauitiiti cant wait

Ali Lauitiiti is looking forward to the prospect of pulling on the Kiwis rugby league jersey for the first time in more than a year.

Lauitiiti had his first run with the New Zealand squad yesterday since he joined them in Leeds ahead of their key Tri-Nations match against Great Britain at Huddersfield on Saturday.

"It's great to get together with the boys again," he said.

"I've trained pretty hard to keep my fitness up."

The last of Lauitiiti's 11 caps was back in October last year, when he was part of the Kiwis' memorable 30-12 upset of the Kangaroos in Auckland.

He missed this year's Anzac test in Newcastle in April, when his future was up in the air after the New Zealand Warriors' shock decision to release him.

Lauitiiti moved to Leeds and a run of form in the English Super League saw him back in Kiwis reckoning but he was unavailable for New Zealand's two Tri-Nations tests so far, both against Australia.

The first, which ended in a 16-16 draw in Auckland, clashed with the Super League grand final, in which Lauitiiti helped the Rhinos to break a 32-year championship drought by downing Bradford.

He was given leave from the second, a 12-32 defeat for the Kiwis in London, to spend time with relatives.

Lauitiiti, 25, said he had settled in well in the north of England and was pleased with the start to his 2-1/2-year contract with the Rhinos.

"The guys have been really supportive and it was awesome to make the grand final," he said.

"But I know I've got a lot of improvement and I'll be training hard in the off-season to be in good shape for next year."

Commentators have suggested that the more open style of the English game suited Lauitiiti, once dubbed "the Michael Jordan of rugby league".

The second rower agreed that he probably did have a greater chance to show off his skills than in the more defence-minded National Rugby League.

"Yes, you could probably say that." he said.

"Both competitions are tough, but in some areas NRL is more in your face. Super League is more expansive. They like to throw the ball around and go wide. It's an exciting type of football."

Lauitiiti has won over critics and fans in his short time in England, where he has started some matches for the Rhinos and come off the bench in others.

He was selected in this year's Dream Team compiled by English league writers, while Ali masks have become a feature of Leeds' crowds.

Despite the controversial nature of his departure from the Warriors, for whom he made his first-grade debut back in 1998 as a 19-year-old, Lauitiiti still had a soft spot for the club.

"I still support them and watch them on TV and miss the boys," he said.

"I'm just thankful for this opportunity to continue my career here."

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said Lauitiiti had added his "all round edge" to what was already a winning side when he arrived at the Yorkshire club.

The Rhinos dominated the Super League this year, finishing the regular season nine points clear of the rest of the field.

"It's a difficult team to get into, which was his first job really, but he's impressed everybody with his enthusiasm and professionalism," Hetherington said.

"He's got outstanding ability, which has been appreciated. He's a popular member of the team and with the crowd as well."

He said the Ali masks became so sought after that a second print run was needed.