Leigh Leopards have strengthened their squad for the Super League playoff run by signing Samoa international prop Lazarus Vaalepu from NRL side Melbourne Storm.
The 27-year-old forward joins the club for the remainder of the 2026 season, arriving ahead of the final 11 regular-season matches.
Rapid Rise in Australia
Vaalepu made a swift impact in the NRL, featuring for Melbourne in the 2024 Grand Final during just his seventh first-grade appearance for the Storm.
His move to Leigh adds depth and physicality to the forward pack as the Leopards aim for a top-six finish.
Leigh director of rugby Andrew Henderson expressed excitement about the acquisition on the club's official website.
"We're really excited to bring Lazarus to Leigh," Henderson said.
He highlighted the attributes Vaalepu will bring to the team.
"He's a player with genuine presence, power, and punch, giving us a real point of difference within our middle unit," Henderson added.
