Blockbusting midfielder Ngani Laumape has signed a two-year deal with Super Rugby Pacific’s rising powerhouse, Moana Pasifika.
The signing sees the barnstorming 17-time All Black return to New Zealand shores for the first time since 2021, when he was a contentious omission from the All Blacks squad.
The Manawatu product will return to the Turbos in the NPC while rejoining former Kobe Kobelco Steelers teammate Ardie Savea in Albany.
“One of the reasons I came back was to be part of the first Moana Pasifika team to win the competition,” Laumape said, having won a Super Rugby title in 2016 with the Hurricanes.
“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.”
“For me, I wanted to play with a purpose, and playing for Moana is probably the closest thing I get to playing for Tonga, and the culture. For me, getting to play in front of my family again, I’ve been overseas for four years now, and I enjoy playing in front of my family.
“So coming back, playing with a purpose, playing for our culture, and our Pacific people, and playing in front of my family, especially my parents, and all my siblings again.”
This news comes just days after the club revealed a 15-man list of departing players, which included young star Kyren Taumoefolau as well as other more experienced talents.
Head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga had recently revealed that there were plenty of players looking to join the club, and while there is room on the roster, he admitted financial constraints would play a part in how many names could be signed.
Regardless, the first big domino of the team’s offseason has now fallen, with Laumape set to add plenty of excitement to an already physical midfield.
“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,” Umaga said of the signing.
“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.”
