Lazarus joined the Leopards from Melbourne Storm midway through the 2026 season after making his mark in the NRL and earning international honours with Samoa. A powerful middle forward, he made his NRL debut for Melbourne in 2024 and later that season featured from the interchange bench in the NRL Grand Final. He was subsequently selected for Samoa’s end-of-season tour of England, winning two Test caps.

Born in Penrith and raised in Canberra, Lazarus is of Samoan heritage and played rugby union before switching to rugby league as a youngster. He played his junior rugby with Queanbeyan Kangaroos and progressed through the Canberra Raiders’ development system before furthering his career in the Queensland Cup with Wynnum Manly Seagulls and Sunshine Coast Falcons. His performances earned him a train-and-trial opportunity with Melbourne Storm, which developed into an NRL contract and ultimately a first-grade debut.