Although born in Taihape, Lavea grew up in Auckland and was educated at Papatoetoe High School, then St Kentigern College where he played for three seasons in the 1st XV. He was an age-group representative between the ages of 14 and 16, and played for both the Auckland and New Zealand Secondary Schools teams in 1998. He also excelled in cricket.
Lavea played fly-half for the Blues in Super Rugby from 2004 to 2006. He also played at inside centre for the Chiefs in the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In 2009 he rejoined the Blues. At provincial level, Lavea played for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship from 2003 through to 2007. He joined Counties Manukau in 2008. He played for French Top 14 team ASM Clermont Auvergne between 2009 and 2011.
Following secondary school, Lavea played for the Junior All Blacks and was then scouted by Melbourne Storm (despite never having played rugby league until signing), switching codes to play in Australia. Having won the 1999 Premiership, the Melbourne Storm travelled to England to contest the 2000 World Club Challenge against Super League Champions St Helens R.F.C., with Lavea playing from the interchange bench in the victory. Thanks to his prodigious goal-kicking skills, in 2000 he was the Melbourne Storm's leading points scorer (190 points) and was named the club's Rookie of the Year. He returned to Union in 2003 having represented New Zealand in league.
In September 2006, Lavea was named in the Pacific Islanders rugby union team (representing Samoa) to tour the United Kingdom and Ireland in November 2006. He went on to represent Samoa seven times between 2011 and 2012.
Following his retirement, he turned his attention to coaching and having done so at youth level, he joined the Counties staff as the head coach in 2019.
JW FEB 2021
Super Rugby Caps: 26 (Blues 19, Chiefs 7)
Super Rugby Points: 50 (7 tries, 3 conversions, 3 penalties)
Blues: 30 (3 tries, 3 conversions, 3 penalties)
Chiefs: 20 (4 tries)
Blues Debut: 2004 vs Reds
Chiefs Debut: 2007 vs Brumbies
Provincial Caps: 35
Provincial Points: 35 (7 tries)
Auckland Debut: 2003 vs Waikato
Rugby League Test Caps: 4
Rugby League Test Points: 48 (3 tries, 18 goals)
Career
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Counties Manukau Head Coach |
2019 - 2023 |
