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All Blacks fans get frank and question why Ngani Laumape has been excluded
Steve Hansen’s decision to leave Ngani Laumape out of his New Zealand World Cup squad has proven to be the most contentious decision by some way.
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The Hurricanes centre failed to make the four-man midfield chosen by Hansen, which includes two-time World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.
Despite 108-cap veteran Owen Franks also missing out on the squad, the reaction to Laumape’s omission has clearly caused the biggest stir on social media. Hansen has opted for experience with both Williams and Crotty, despite the two of them having injury problems this year.
Williams only managed a handful of games for the Blues in Super Rugby while Crotty has not played for two months with a hand injury, although he is set to return this weekend.
There is no denying that on their day the two of them are world-class talents, but their form this season has been matched – if not bettered – by Laumape.
Who are the unluckiest players not to feature in Steve Hansen's 31-man All Blacks squad for the World Cup?https://t.co/qYzx277BVJ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 28, 2019
The 26-year-old had a sensational season in Wellington, finishing the season second top try-scorer with 13. Very few defences could handle his power, and that is why so many fans are shocked that he has missed out.
Despite earning 15 caps for the All Blacks, Hansen has never seemed to fully trust Laumape, meaning he has never been able to string together a run of games for his country.
But had Williams or Crotty missed out, there would have likely been as many people that were surprised by their omission, as is the nature of the All Blacks selection.
Unfortunately, Laumape is the unlucky player on this occasion, although at the age of 26 he has more World Cups to come. This is what has been said:
Why on earth would Steve Hansen leave Ngani Laumape out of his RWC squad? Gutted!???#RWC2019
— Edwin E. Ahabwe (@EdwinAhabwe) August 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/GunSlin14083067/status/1166504592449757184?s=20
I'm gutted for Ngani Laumape that he didn't make the ABs squad to Japan. One of the stand out players of the 2019 Super Rugby season. Someone who conjures up stellar performances one after another. Damn.
— ??? (@fj2ga) August 28, 2019
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Ryan Crotty & Sonny-Bill over Laumape? The selectors have lost it.
— Aizeiah Parkinson (@aizeiah_) August 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/veej187/status/1166509252208250880?s=20
Feel for Ngani Laumape. He was in-form and offered more thrust in the midfield. But Crotty's experience and versatility gave him the nod. Ngani should learn from Ma'a Nonu who missed World Cup selection in 2007, changed his game & became a legend. #RWC2019 #AllBlacks
— Peter Rees (@peter_rees74) August 28, 2019
Laumape missing out on the All Blacks #RWC2019 has a familiar tone when Nonu missed selection to 2007 RWC. A pitty as other international teams would take Laumape in a heart beat.
— Alando Soakai (@alandosoakai) August 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/mossie90/status/1166562873172209670?s=20
dropping laumape and bringing the "injury favourite" Ryan crotty is a one tough call. no laumape no party. https://t.co/LInK16Jsv1
— qal ?? (@apoqalypSAC) August 28, 2019
One interesting comparison that some fans have made is between Laumape and Ma’a Nonu in 2007. Both players are similar in physique and style and, like Laumape, Nonu missed out on selection for the 2007 World Cup.
However, he returned and remodelled himself, particularly improving his handling, and went on to win two World Cups and 103 caps.
One criticism that Laumape has received in the past has been about his distribution, but he has the opportunity to improve, as did Nonu, and come back stronger.
WATCH: What rugby fans can expect from Kumamoto at night at the World Cup in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team does not beat the ABs sadly
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments