FYI.

This story is over 5 years old.

Sports

​Rest In Peace Sione Lauaki: A Tribute To The Waikato Cult Hero Who Went Too Soon

Sione's career traversed the Pacific and was played with brute Polynesian power. While he never reached the lofty heights many predicted, Lauaki will be remembered for several almost comical displays of bruising, powerhouse rugby.
Screengrab via Youtube

This article was originally published on VICE AUNZ

He ran like the wind, if wind had the power to buckle your body and leave you horribly concussed. The 6"4, 115 kg Waitemata, Waikato and All Blacks man-mountain, Sione Lauaki, passed away over the weekend, aged just 35, following a four-year battle with heart and kidney conditions.

His career traversed the Pacific and was played with brute Polynesian power. While he never reached the lofty heights many predicted, Lauaki will be remembered for several almost comical displays of bruising, powerhouse rugby that left opponents as venerated as Richie McCaw crumpled on the ground in front of him.

Advertisement

To see Lauaki released into space on an open-field break was to be reminded that your decision to quit playing rugby in your teens was one of the best of your life. Also, why watching this sport on TV with a beer in your hand is one of the great privileges given to those of us who still love the game.

The brother of equally terrifying ball-runner and former New Zealand Warriors rugby league star, Ephalame Lauaki, Sione was born in Tonga before moving to Waitakere state high school in Auckland. He represented the First XV there as a 17 year old back in 1998, before moving to nearby Kelston Boys, another state school, where he again represented the First XV.

Lauaki was instrumental in his club team Waitemata's 2003 Gallaher Shield win, before being plucked from obscurity to represent the Pacific Island All Stars in 2004/05 during their three solid showings against the All Blacks, Wallabies and South Africa (Lauaki scored in all three games, despite the the team losing every match).

He made his debut for the All Blacks in 2005 against Fiji (against players he'd played with a year earlier in the Pacific Islands team) becoming just the fourth Waitemata player to receive the honour. His Test career would last just 17 games and fail to reach the heights many had forecasted, though his time with the Waikato Chiefs was memorable, including 70 caps, 14 tries, and countless exhibitions of loose, intuitive power-running that installed the giant back rower as a crowd favourite.

Advertisement

In 2010, he went to French club team ASM Clermont Auvergne for a season before transferring to Bayonne where a medical examination first alerted him to heart and kidney issues. Upon learning of his health problems, Lauaki was philosophical and leaned hard on his Christian faith, tweeting at the time:

"Thanks everyone for the tweets and support, I'm good so no need to panic, life is good even the parts that's not."

"I know there's God lessons in all my obstacles."

He also told French newspaper L'Equipe, "What has happened to me is disappointing. I've never had these types of problems before but that's life, and it's necessary for me to look after myself."

The tributes from the Australasian rugby community have poured in since his passing. All Black great and current Auckland Blues coach, Tana Umaga, tweeted: "Another brother gone! Much love and condolences to his family."

Sonny Bill Williams said via Twitter: "Damn. It's a sad day today, rest easy dox."

While Wallabies star Israel Folau also offered his condolences:

"Sad to hear the passing of @SioneLauaki. Love and prayers to the family," Folau tweeted.

Sione's team the Waikato Chiefs turned out on the day of his passing in the Brisbane Rugby Tens tournament and fittingly claimed overall victory, beating their arch-rivals, the Canterbury Crusaders, in the final. Waikato Captain and leading All-Black, Liam Messam, was quick to dedicate the win to his friend and former teammate.

"Really tough … this one is for you my brother," he said as he raised the trophy, also revealing that he almost quit the competition at the last minute to fly back to New Zealand and be by Lauaki's bedside.

"I was trying to get the first plane back with Jerome Kaino. We know what 'Wax' would have wanted and he'd probably tell me to stop crying. The boys really wanted to do it for him," Messam said.