Laurence Sapolu Weeks

The first ever Melbourne Rebel, Laurie Weeks overcame adversity to realise his Wallaby dreams.

A strong scrummaging front row forward, Weeks grew up in the housing commission flat of a single-parent household in Sydney’s inner-west. With no car, Weeks’ mum ferried him to his Saturday morning games using nothing but public transport.

Weeks went on to earn a scholarship to St Joseph’s College in Hunters Hill where he played in the 2003 1st XV and represented Australian Schools. He rose to the Super Rugby ranks where he played for New South Wales (2006), Queensland (2009-10) and then the Melbourne Rebels (2011-2017).

While Weeks was included in the 2010 Wallabies’ squad he failed to win a Test cap. His patience was finally rewarded in 2014 when he enjoyed a breakthrough year and made his long-awaited debut for Australia against France in Melbourne.

Highlights

2003

Weeks represented Australian Schools against Tongan Schools, Fijian Schools and New Zealand Schools. HIs front row partners in each of the three Tests were fellow future Wallabies Pek Cowan and Saia Fainga’a. 

2014

Weeks won his first Test cap off the bench when he replaced Sekope Kepu at tight head prop in the 2nd Test, 6-0 win over France in Melbourne. A second replacement cap came a week later in the final Test of the French series however a hamstring injury ruled him out of the end-of-season Spring Tour.