Rising Melbourne Storm talent Lazarus Vaalepu reflects on NRL rise from Sunshine Coast Falcons

Fresh faced Melbourne Storm prop Lazarus Vaalepu has dug below the surface to reflect on his unique journey to the elite level by revealing the key decisions that have shaped his career so far.

Lazarus Vaalepu of the Storm celebrates after scoring a try during the round 26 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Melbourne Storm. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

Queensland Cup star Lazarus Vaalepu is beginning to stamp his feet in the NRL after a thrilling individual performance in his first career start for the Melbourne Storm in round 25.

But the rookie prop forward is no overnight sensation.

It’s been a whirlwind ride for the 25-year-old who only started playing rugby league when he was 16-years-old.

Born in Penrith, Vaalepu first climbed through the ranks as a rising rugby union star before representing the Queanbeyan Roos and later the Canberra Raiders junior representative teams.

With limited options awaiting him, Vaalepu made the move north to Queensland where he joined the Wynnum Manly Seagulls for the 2021 season.

Vaalepu spent majority of his time in the BRL that season but made his Queensland Cup debut in round one before going on to make a total of four appearances in his inaugural year.

Despite his limited playing time, Falcons head coach Brad Henderson reached out to Vaalepu at the end of the 2021 season in hope of attracting him to the Sunshine Coast.

“I’d only played less than a handful of games and minutes but it put plenty of confidence in me that Hendo had liked what he’d seen in that short amount of time,” he said.

“I decided to make the move and things just kicked on from there.”

Vaalepu admits it was a tough opening transition to his new club, with weight issues and the recent loss of his grandmother putting his pre-season aims on the back foot.

“That was tough for me, losing my grandmother, moving again and trying to settle into a new team,” he said.

“I started slow but I was living with our captain Patrice Siolo and his professionalism flicked a switch in me to quickly make some personal changes to my diet, my off field work and training processes.”

Sunshine Coast Falcons talent Lazarus Vaalepu. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

The change in attitude was exactly what Vaalepu needed as the damaging ball carrier played 14 games for the yellow and black before earning a pre-season camp invite with the Falcons NRL feeder club, Melbourne Storm.

“That Storm opportunity was a big reward for effort as it was a great push for me to be a leader with the Falcons but then also take as much as I could away from the time I had in Melbourne,” he said.

Vaalepu continued his stand out Queensland Cup performances the following season with 21 appearances and later a pre-season camp re-call with Melbourne.

He said the added confidence of it being his second pre-season camp helped gain him a train and trial extension contract prior to the 2024 season.

“That was another huge step forward for me and I remember playing in one of the trials before signing a two year deal with the club,” he said.

“Signing the contract was crazy and very cool but I knew there was still a lot of work to do before I had a chance of cracking into the top level.”

Sunshine Coast Falcons talent Lazarus Vaalepu. Picture: Nicola Anne Photography.

Vaalepu continued to return to his Queensland Cup duties with the Falcons for the first 18 rounds before he was a late change and in line to make his NRL debut against the Sydney Roosters in round 20.

“It was very unexpected for me as I was named in the 22-man squad but I was on standby in case Christian (Welch) got ruled out,” he said.

“The players, coaches and staff just kept telling me to stay ready but nothing was confirmed until the morning of the game.

“I was just trying to stay calm as I played the waiting game but once I got told I would be playing it was a very nervous but unreal feeling.”

Vaalepu played 11 minutes off the bench for the Storm in their 24-8 victory at AAMI Park.

“It was just a different energy and a really special feeling to share the field with those top level players,” he said.

“To achieve my childhood dream is quite surreal but to have my partner, my family and friends all in the crowd as well is something I’ll always remember.”

Lazarus Vaalepu celebrates his NRL debut with family and friends. Picture: Melbourne Storm Instagram.

Fast forward a further five rounds and Vaalepu has held his spot in the Storm 17 before being elevated to start in their round 26 match against the Cowboys.

Vaalepu played a career high 41 minutes in the front row while also getting his name onto the scoresheet with his first ever NRL try.

“I was really grateful to be named in the starting side and everything else was just a bonus,” he said.

“Having those senior leadership players like Ryan Papenhuyzen, Cameron Munster and Christian Welch out there made it a lot easier for me.

“Getting a meat pie was very special, Munster just put the ball in my hands but open space is a bit weird and a bit of an unknown for me so I just ran as quick as I could to the try line.”

Munster sends Vaalepu straight through! 👊#NRLCowboysStormpic.twitter.com/JeBDhOrAIU

— NRL (@NRL) August 29, 2024

With the Storm back to full strength in round 27, Vaalepu has been named in the 22-man squad.

He said his focus remained week to week but hoped to reflect on his journey to the NRL when he could.

“I haven't had too much time to look back at the moment just because it’s been full throttle as we approach finals for Falcons and Storm,” he said.

“I’m just trying to live in the moment, get the job done and embrace it all as it comes but I think it will be very special to reflect on how far I’ve come and what the journey has been like for me at the end of the season.

“There’s been plenty of milestones for me in the past couple of years and it is very special to see all of the little things adding up here and there.

“Even just quickly thinking back to my first few years at the Falcons and realising what it’s taken to get here is pretty amazing so there’s a fair few people I’ll be thanking when I get around to it.”