News

Lauaki busting to make an impact

October 01 2008

Sione Lauaki has not started a game of rugby since he ran out for Waikato against Auckland at Waikato Stadium four weeks ago but knows he has to make the most of his return to the same ground on Thursday.

The powerful All Black loose forward will wear the number eight jersey for Waikato in a must-win Air New Zealand Cup match against Taranaki.

He has not played since he came off the bench for the All Blacks against Samoa four days after his game for Waikato against Auckland, instead spending the time training with the Tri-Nations squad despite not making the matchday 22 for their last three Tests.

But he will be one of four All Blacks returning to Waikato duty and he knows, after taking his mandatory two-week break after that international series, he more than anyone needs the game-time to rebuild his confidence and prove his worth to selectors for the end-of-season northern hemisphere tour.

"There are a lot of young players coming through and guys like Liam (Messam) have been playing well, so while you don't get much chance to prove yourself, when you do you've got to be on the job. It's a professional game," Lauaki told the Waikato Times.

He said it had been hard not playing but had still felt part of the All Blacks' Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup success and felt he had learnt much from training with the side and helping them prepare.

Now he was excited at the prospect of returning to playing and starting for Waikato.

"For me it is just a matter of getting more game time under my belt and getting my confidence back up there," he said.

Lauaki spent the break with his pregnant partner and he missed Monday's training when it was thought she was going into labour, but it turned out to be a false alarm.

"She is due any time soon so I've got to be on my toes," he said.

"It was good getting time off and being at home with her."

Lauaki admitted the return to training had been a shock to the system and he picked up a niggling knee injury during the run but said it did not feel too bad and expected to be fine for Wednesday's captain's run.

Other All Blacks back in Waikato colours are backs Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui and Sitiveni Sivivatu. For Kahui and Sivivatu it will be their first game for Waikato since the 2006 grand final.