Ali Lauiti'iti's UK open sesame

Ali Lauiti'iti's bedside reading is heavy stuff: Life in the UK: A Journey to Citizenship, an appallingly written (or so those who have survived reading it say) official publication covering British history, society, law and politics.

But it's compulsory for anyone wanting permanent residency in the UK. Since 2007 immigrants have had to regurgitate the book's often obscure facts in an exam the Home Office says "assesses knowledge of British life and culture".

If applicants don't score over 75% on the 24-question multi-choice exam, they don't get their visa.

"I would reckon even the locals wouldn't know some of the answers," says Lauiti'iti.

His Samoan passport has previously kept him off the Super League's overseas quota, but with constantly shifting rules, residency would certainly help the administrators at Leeds Rhinos, which he joined after leaving the Warriors controversially in 2004.

His contract with Leeds expires next year and Lauiti'iti, now 30, says he doesn't know what he'll do next, but knows that his next deal will be his last - he's probably too old to return to the NRL and his Kiwis test career is also over.

His wife would like to live in Brisbane, he'd quite like to come home to Auckland, but the citizenship exam is a rather significant nod to what's likely to happen. Another hint is that he's just bought a home in Leeds.

It's not difficult to see the appeal. When we meet at the Leeds club shop, Lauiti'iti has spent the past two hours cheerfully signing new-season replica jerseys for a tide of fans who continue to interrupt us at regular intervals for more autographs and photos.

After winning three consecutive grand finals, this is how it is for Rhinos' players in Leeds.

"I don't know what I am going to do," he says. "The time has flown by quickly, but it has also been a long time too [away from home].

"I was saying to some of the boys that when you're playing good, in a good team and the club is good and your family enjoy it, it makes it much easier."

Lauiti'iti can laugh now at the shy, monosyllabic 23-year-old who reluctantly moved to England when the Warriors shoved him out, accusing him of not wanting to win.

Leeds introduced him as the "Michael Jordan of rugby league" and the club won a grand final in his first season. He has now played 116 first-grade games in the UK.

"I had to grow up when I came here," he said. "I never thought I would leave New Zealand, and when they told me to come here, I thought 'no', but my wife said we should give it a go and we did.

"Sometimes you need that push and you don't really realise until you actually go how good it can be. I grew up quickly, which was good for the wife.

"I didn't have that drive, and I wasn't happy. I wasn't enjoying my rugby, I don't know why.

"I always loved my time at the Warriors and without them I wouldn't be here today."

Lauiti'iti's two eldest daughters, four-year-old Salome and Ivana, three, were born in England.

They shun the club creche for the stands, enthralled by the unique atmosphere. "People at home will never know what it feels like until they experience it," he says. "The support is amazing. You get to the stadium and everyone is wearing jerseys and waving flags.

"They give it to you when you lose, but that's all part of it."

"You could tell something was going to happen," Lauiti'iti says of his first impressions six years ago. Something has, and it means Kiwi audiences will never see his unique talent in the flesh again.

- © Fairfax NZ News