Former All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape has signed for Moana Pasifika for the next two Super Rugby seasons.
The 32-year-old comes to Moana from playing three seasons with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers in the Japan Rugby League One competition, where he played alongside Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea.
Of Tonga decent, Laumape played Super Rugby for the Hurricanes 2016-2021 before a season with Stade Francais 2021-2022 and the Kobelco Kobe Steelers 2022-2025.
The centre-wing made 15 appearances for the All Blacks between 2017 – 2020 and had also played for the Warriors.
He says one of the reasons for coming back [to New Zealand] was “to be part of the first Moana Pasifika team to win the competition.”
“Obviously, there has to be a lot of hard work and a lot of things behind the scenes that we’ll have to do — but why can’t our culture and our people do something great in this competition?
“That’s pretty inspiring and definitely motivating.”
Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga said: “We’re excited to welcome Ngani to our Moana Pasifika aiga. Ngani is a talented player who has proven himself on the international stage. From his experience in league, the All Blacks, as well as in France and in Japan, he has an open and mature outlook on the game.
“Ngani is also a great person who has done well for himself and his family, and I know he’ll be able to integrate smoothly into our team environment.”
The Moana Pasifika, formed to develop Samoa and Tongan internationals has recently had mass clean out of 15 squad members.
The signing of Laumape fills 30 of the 38 positions available in the Pacific franchise.
Captain Ardie Savea led the Moana Pasifika in its best season yet finishing 7th and narrowly missing out on the Super Rugby Pacific playoffs.
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