Weller Hauraki (born 18 February 1985) is a New Zealand former professional rugby league footballer who played as a or and played for the New Zealand Māori at international level. He has played for the Parramatta Eels in the NRL, and Crusaders RL, Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers (Heritage № 936), Hull Kingston Rovers and the Salford Red Devils in the Super League, spending time on loan from Salford at the Widnes Vikings in 2018. Background Hauraki was born in Dannevirke, New Zealand. Early career Manawatu (2002) 2002 Hauraki played for Manawatu in the 2002 North Island Super 6 competition. Senior career Parramatta Eels (2007-09) 2007-09 Hauraki began his career in the National Rugby League playing for the Parramatta Eels, he made his début against the New Zealand Warriors during the 2007 season, and he went on to make 32 appearances over three seasons. Hauraki also won the 2007 Intrust Super Premiership NSW competition with Parramatta, scoring a try right on the final siren to defeat the North Sydney Bears, 20-15. His most memorable game for the Eels came in round 6 of the 2009 season, when he scored two tries against the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, after replacing his injured teammate Nathan Hindmarsh. Crusaders RL (2010) 2010 In 2010, to ease pressure on the Parramatta Eels' salary cap, Hauraki was released and went on to sign a two-year contract with the Crusaders RL club in the Super League. He made his début for the Crusaders against the Wigan Warriors on 5 February 2010, at the DW Stadium. Leeds Rhinos (2011–12) 2011 After his very impressive first season in the Super League, Hauraki signed a three-year contract to play for the Leeds Rhinos. He made his début from off the interchange bench against Hull F.C. and he scored in the Rhinos' 32-18 victory. He played at for Leeds in the 2011 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Wigan Warriors at Wembley Stadium. Castleford Tigers (2013–14) 2013 Hauraki then joined the Castleford Tigers ahead of the 2013 season. Weller quickly established himself in what surprisingly became one of the Super League's most feared packs, helping the Castleford Tigers cement their highest-ever Super League finish of 4th. 2014 He was also instrumental in a run to the 2014 Challenge Cup Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Wembley Stadium, with that ending in a 23-10 defeat by his former club and rivals the Leeds Rhinos.