Bubba Lau'ese
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Auckland, New Zealand
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 September 1983 Auckland, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Listed height | 198 cm (6 ft 6 in) |
| Listed weight | 127 kg (280 lb) |
| Career information | |
| High school |
|
| Playing career | 2010–2010 |
| Position | Forward |
| Career history | |
| 2010 | Southland Sharks |
Bubba Lau'ese (born Barry Papalii;[1] 13 September 1983) is a New Zealand former rugby and basketball player.
Lau'ese was born in Auckland, New Zealand.[2] He attended Surrey Park Primary School in Invercargill, Southland,[1] and Howick College and Onehunga High School in Auckland.[2]
Rugby and basketball
Lau'ese flirted with basketball at secondary school and club level, but made a name for himself on the rugby field. He narrowly missed out on a place in Samoa's squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup and played second division rugby in Wales and France.[1]
In 2009, Lau'ese was lured back to Invercargill by Rugby Southland and the Excelsior Rugby Club.[1][3]
That same year, Lau'ese played on the same club basketball team as Southland Sharks coach Richard Dickel. He decided to give the Sharks trials a crack on Dickel's advice and was successful in making the inaugural roster for the 2010 New Zealand NBL season.[1][4] He played in three NBL games for the Sharks.[5] In July 2010, he played for the Southland Flyers in the Conference Basketball League.[6]