Kiwi NFL signing: Rugby convert Paul Lasike lands contract with the Arizona Cardinals

VIDEO: An unknown New Zealander who has starred at US college level in both rugby and gridiron has signed a free agent deal to play with Arizona in the NFL.

Unknown Kiwi destroys college, makes NFL

NEW Zealand’s answer to Jarryd Hayne has signed a free agent deal to play in the NFL.

Auckland-born Paul Lasike will join the Arizona Cardinals on Friday after missing out on a contract in last week’s NFL draft.

The 24-year-old, branded a “violent” ball-runner, was picked up this week by the Cardinals after impressing as a running back in three years at Brigham Young University in Utah.

Lasike attended Church College of New Zealand near Hamilton and in 2007 he played alongside Chiefs backs Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Tim Nanai-Williams in a schoolboys rep rugby squad.

WATCH LASIKE’S STUNNING SKILLS IN THE VIDEO ABOVE

Paul Lasike has been signed by the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL.

At 1.80m and 103kg, Lasike is shorter but heavier than former NRL star Hayne (1.88m, 100kg), who is also trying to crack the NFL as a running back with the San Francisco 49ers.

Lasike first took an interest in the NFL when on Mormon missionary service in Alabama.

He excelled in both sports at BYU, helping their rugby team to three consecutive national championship titles.

Heading to the AZ Cardinals to bang helmets this Thursday. So grateful for this opportunity to compete and chase my dream! #blessedExcited

— Paul Lasike (@plasike2) May 4, 2015

In an interview with the Deseret News last year, he said rugby was still his first-choice sport after growing up playing it.

However, his speed and yardage numbers prompted him to enter the NFL draft.

“My first love is rugby. I was born and raised with it,” Lasike said.

“I was born with a rugby ball in my hand. I would say football is my adopted love now. I love both of the sports. They’re really fun, now that I understand football.”

Lasike ran a 4.83 second 40-yard dash time at the NFL pro day – no match for Hayne’s 4.53s.

League convert Jarryd Hayne in training with the San Franciso 49ers last month.

BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall told Foxsports.com last year that he saw big things ahead for his Kiwi recruit.

“He’s a pretty unique story. He’s very violent when he runs with the ball, and he’s super hard working. Most of these kids who are converted rugby players or are Polynesian from New Zealand are so humble. So he’s really fun to work with... Most of our guys are afraid of him when he has the ball in his hands, because he runs so physical.”

Like Hayne, Lasike has a big task in front of him just to make the Cardinals’ final 53-man NFL roster.

Lasike is one of seven running backs on the Cardinals depth chart, headed by last year’s starter Andre Ellington.

The Cardinals finished with an 11-5 record last season before losing to the Carolina Panthers in the Wild Card playoffs.

Hayne is one of seven Australians holding NFL contracts after punter Sam Irwin-Hill was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Indianapolis Colts this week.

Originally published as Kiwi NFL signing: Rugby convert Paul Lasike lands contract with the Arizona Cardinals