1
Why France-bound Ngani Laumape felt 'underwhelmed' by New Zealand Rugby's 'lowball' contract offer
All Blacks and Hurricanes midfielder Ngani Laumape was reportedly left “underwhelmed” by New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR] “lowball” offer in their negotiations to keep him in the country.
ADVERTISEMENT
It was announced on Monday that Laumape will join French Top 14 club Stade Francais at the end of Super Rugby Trans-Tasman in a deal that robs the Hurricanes of one of their star men and the All Blacks of a useful depth option.
According to a report from the New Zealand Herald, though, a useful depth option was as important as Laumape perceived himself to be within the Kiwi rugby fraternity after NZR’s latest contract offer.
The Herald reports the 28-year-old’s three-year deal with the Parisian club has secured him a seven-figure salary, $400,000 more per year than what NZR were offering.
Despite his reported preference to stay in New Zealand, Laumape decided to take the Stade Francais offer, not only because of the deal’s financial element, but also because of his status as a fringe All Black and the lack of pay rise being offered by NZR, according to the Herald.
Since making his All Blacks against the British and Irish Lions four years ago, Laumape has accumulated just 15 tests for the national side, often missing out to the likes of Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jack Goodhue.
Despite his explosive ball-running ability that has often been on show at Super Rugby level for the Hurricanes, Laumape was one of the most notable omissions from Sir Steve Hansen’s 2019 World Cup squad.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the wake of the All Blacks’ semi-final exit in that tournament, critics noted Laumape’s powerful ball-carrying threat was noticeably absent and would have been highly valued against the stern English defence that nullified the Kiwis’ blunt attack.
Williams and Crotty both departed New Zealand after that World Cup, opening the door for Laumape – who had just signed a fresh two-year deal with NZR – to stake his claim for a regular place in the All Blacks.
As part of that contract extension, the Herald reports that Laumape was handed a significant pay rise as he was seen as Williams’ likely successor in the No. 12 jersey due to his hard-running, power-based game.
However, failure to establish himself as New Zealand’s first-choice pick at second-five last year – in part due to a broken forearm sustained in the midst of a hot run of form during Super Rugby Aotearoa – limited Laumape to just two tests in 2020.
ADVERTISEMENT
Neither of his appearances against the Wallabies showed Laumape at his best, although factors such as his bench role in Bledisloe III and Ofa Tuungafasi’s early red card in Bledisloe IV played parts in Laumape’s inability to fire in last year’s Tri-Nations.
Former All Black Richard Kahui predicts Australian teams will receive a shock when they come up against their New Zealand rivals in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman competition. #SuperRugbyTransTasman https://t.co/HNI7XFvV2k
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 11, 2021
Fast forward to this year, the former NRL wing has again been part of a convoluted battle for places in the All Blacks midfield, up against the likes of Lienert-Brown, Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Braydon Ennor and Peter Umaga-Jensen for spots in Ian Foster’s squad.
With that in mind, the Herald reports the value of Laumape’s latest contract offer from NZR was similar to that of the deal he signed in 2019, of which he reportedly perceived as an indication that he is viewed as a mid-tier player by the All Blacks.
As a result, he threw his lot in with Stade Francais, opting for financial security for his family – including his three children – over extending his All Blacks career.
It means Laumape will be unavailable for the All Blacks’ July tests as his commitments in France begin immediately after the Trans-Tasman competition.
Laumape and the Hurricanes kick-off their Trans-Tasman campaign against the Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 7:45pm on Friday [local time].
Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
23 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
6 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to comments