Halauafu Lavaka will put his rugby league dream on hold to pursue another long-held desire.
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The 22-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Will Hopoate and serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lavaka’s mission will start in April 2017 where he will serve in Nuku'alofa, Tonga for two years.
“I can’t wait, it’s a different path, a different journey,” Lavaka said.
“It’s been been one of my desires.
“Growing up having a religious background, I believe it’s helped mould me and become a part of my own personal identity.”
After procrastinating on the idea of serving as a missionary, Lavaka decided the time was right following one of his regular prayers.
“I pray daily and through personal prayer I was able to feel promptings and had a personal revelation to do the lord’s work,” he said.
The Griffith-raised footballer will leave behind friends, family and his rugby league career.
Lavaka was contracted with Manly-Warringah in 2016 and played his second Auckland Nines tournament – after playing with Parramatta in 2015 – at the start of the year.
However, Lavaka wasn’t able to crack into the first grade side and spent the year toiling away in NSW Cup – where he scored six tries from 22 games – in search of an NRL debut.
He’s in no way giving up on his rugby league career, he is just pursuing something different for now.
“To me life isn't about a sport or rugby league. I believe there’s much more to life,” Lavaka said.
“Having a talent to play at one of the highest levels, I’ve been blessed with that.
“It doesn't just come from my own self belief, it’s come from the heavenly father, the man above.
“This is my way of giving back by actually spreading his word, his gospel, around the world.”
Following his two years in Tonga, Lavaka plans to return to the football field and aims to keep fit and eat well on his travels.
“Yeah, definitely, it’s always in my plans [to return to football],” Lavaka said.
“I’m not one to fall short of my dreams.
“I’ll do everything in my power to train [in Tonga].”
Serving in Tonga was a stroke of luck for Lavaka who will get the chance to better learn about his cultural heritage.
“I could have been assigned anywhere in the world,” Lavaka said.
“There is a purpose for me to serving in Tonga. I’ll be learning more about my culture, the language.
“I’ve only been [to Tonga] once in 2002 when I was eight, now, 15 years after I get to go back.”