Lui Wolfgramm Anderson, the hooker of the victorious New Zealand Kiwi team that crushed the Australian Kangaroos 24-0 on November 26 in London and became the 2005 champion of the annual Rugby League Tri Nations competition between New Zealand, Australia and the UK, is visiting Tonga to reconnect with his Tongan heritage.

Lui, whose mother June Wolfgramm Anderson comes from Neiafu, Vava‘u, is currently in Nuku'alofa and will also visit his relatives in Vava'u in early January before returning to New Zealand.

Lui said that he had always wanted to be a professional rugby league player, and the fact that his two older brothers play professional rugby in Australia and England was an impetus for him to fulfill his childhood dream.

Proud of Tongan connections

Last year Lui was awarded with the NZ Rookie of the Year award by the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) and the Warriors Rookie of the Year. Lui though is humble about his rugby achievement, and very proud of his Tongan connection which he wants to maintain. He has visited Tonga five times during the past three years.

Lui burst into the New Zealand rugby league scene last year as a 19 year old playing for the Warriors first grade squad as well as the hooker for the Kiwis in the 2004 Tri Nations.

He said that making it to the Warriors team was a dream come true and playing for the New Zealand Kiwis was the ultimate dream out of them all. After the recognition that the team got from winning the Tri Nations they realise they now have to work hard to become good role models for the younger generation.

Lui's words of encouragement for young Tongan players who want to become professional rugby league players are, ...“ just have fun and enjoy playing rugby league! ...“