Former Waratahs prop Alaalatoa re-signs with Crusaders

Alaalatoa joined the Crusaders this season after attracting the attention of the team's coaches while playing for Manawatu in the national provincial championship last year.

Rugby is in Alaalatoa's blood, with his father having represented Samoa in the 1991 Rugby World Cup as a tighthead prop, and his younger brother Allan, also a prop, representing the Brumbies.

Mike Alaalatoa, who was born and raised in Sydney, where he played three years in his high school 1st XV, made his Super Rugby debut for the Waratahs in 2014.

However, with only one appearance over two seasons with the Waratahs he moved to New Zealand to gain more playing time during the NPC and push for a Super Rugby contract.

After leaving school he moved through the ranks in the New South Wales Shute Shield. He represented Samoa at Under-20 level in the 2011 IRB Junior World Rugby Championship and played for the NSW Country Eagles in the Australian National Championship in 2014.

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder commented that Alaalatoa has made the most of his opportunities this season, being utilised as a substitute for All Blacks tighthead prop Owen Franks in the second half of their matches.

"Mike is a talented young player, who has an exciting future ahead of him," Blackadder said. "He has already made his mark in the squad this year, and is pushing some of the more experienced guys in the group for game time, which is exactly what we asked of him. Mike came here with an outstanding attitude and a determination to improve his game. We've been really impressed with his hard work and the results are already showing."

The 24 year old says he is loving playing for the Crusaders this season and it was an easy decision to sign up for a further two years.

Todd and the coaching staff have given me a great opportunity and I have been loving playing for this team. I've already learnt a lot this season, and I just look forward to every week in the team and putting in the hard work".