Leigh Leopards have confirmed the signing of Leigh Leopards prop Lazarus Vaalepu with immediate effect.
The Leopards have been looking for a new anchor for some time and have now signed Vaalepa, a Samoan international who has played 12 NRL games for the Melbourne Storm.
27 years old I love rugby league Earlier this month it was revealed that Vaalep had been offered to Super League clubs and it was Leopards who pulled the trigger and decided to sign him mid-season as head coach Adrian Lam.
Lee’s first words about Vaalepu
“We are delighted to be bringing Lazarus to Leigh,” said Director of Rugby Andrew Henderson. “He is a player with genuine presence, power and impact who gives us a real difference in our middle order. He is humble, driven to succeed and truly believes he can improve under Adrian Lahm in the Super League. We look forward to helping him take the next step in his career.”
“He has good character and has developed within Melbourne’s strong system over a number of years, which will be a real benefit to us. I believe he will thrive in our environment and become a player that our fans really connect with. He wants to be part of something ambitious – and that is exactly what we are building here at Leigh.”
Vaalepu played for Samoa in their Test series loss to England two years ago. He was a latecomer to the NRL and didn’t make his debut until 2024. However, he appeared for the club seven times that season and even played in the Grand Final, losing to Penrith Panthers.
This year he featured for the Storm in the New South Wales Cup, making eleven appearances and scoring one try. Best known for his scoring off the bench, Vaalepu stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 119 kilograms, adding genuine size to Lee’s backpack.
Lee was able to move thanks to the available quota, although they are now using all ten allocated positions.
He will compete for a place in the team alongside the likes of Joe Ofaengau, but in the long term will help replace Robbie Mulhern, who will move to Castleford Tigers next season, and Owen Trout, who will move to the Cronulla Sharks.
Lee currently sits seventh in the Super League and is hoping to reach the play-offs for the fourth time in a row.