Former Warriors back rower Ali Lauitiiti is returning to the Auckland based rugby league club following an 11 year hiatus.
Former Warriors back rower Ali Lauitiiti is returning home to the Auckland based club. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Lauitiiti, who played for the Warriors from 1998 to 2004, has signed a one year contract with the club after spending the last decade playing in the English Super League.
The 36-year-old is bringing his family back to Auckland after eight seasons with the Leeds Rhinos and another four with the Wakefield Wildcats in the English Super League.
The Warriors recruitment and development manager Tony Iro says Lauitiiti will be used as a leader and mentor within the team.
"In realigning our squad our goal was to retain and recruit quality players while also ensuring we had a strong blend of experience throughout the wider group.
"While Ali is 36 now we saw he still has his range of skills when he played for Leeds against the Kiwis a few weeks ago."
Iro stressed Lauitiiti had been secured on a lower second-tier contract, not as a top 25 player.
Lauitiiti said he's excited about returning to the club where his rugby league career began.
"For me it couldn't be better being given this chance to come back to the Warriors. I left a long time ago but the club has always been really special to me.
"While I've kept training I'll have some catching up to do once I join the boys for training but I want to do all I can to help the coaching staff, the team and the club in any way I can."