Halauafu Lavaka will put his rugby league dream on hold to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The 22-year-old will follow in the footsteps of Will Hopoate and serve as a missionary in Tonga for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
The Griffith-raised footballer will leave behind friends, family and his rugby league career. 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, it’s been been one of my desires."
He is not giving up on his rugby league career, he is just postponing it while he pursues something different for now.
Following his two years in Tonga, Lavaka plans to return to the football field.
The Church's missionary program is one of its most recognised characteristics. Mormon missionaries can be seen on the street of hundreds of major cities in the world.