Ngani Laumape's biggest loss to New Zealand rugby won't be on the field
Just when Ngani Laumape is really starting to make a name for himself, the All Blacks midfielder is heading off overseas.
That’s not ‘making a name for himself’ in the playing sense, however.
Laumape started to come into his own as a rugby union player in 2017 after first making the shift back from the the 13-man code a year prior and by the time the World Cup rolled around, he was about as useful a player as he was ever going to be for the All Blacks.
That’s not to say he hasn’t improved since then, but his kicking and distribution games won’t set him apart from any of New Zealand’s other major midfield contenders. If the selectors didn’t like his game in 2018, when he was at the peak of his destructive powers, their minds weren’t going to change over the past two seasons.
Where Lauampe is coming into his own, however, is his public displays of honesty.
Following Laumape’s starring role in the Hurricanes’ win over the Blues last July, the midfielder held nothing back in the post-match interview, firing a shot at his critics.
“It’s good to be out here and to perform the way I did,” he said. “A lot of people have been disrespecting my name and I wanted to come out and show everyone the way that I play.
“I’m happy with that. Let those people keep disrespecting my name, because I’m going to turn up every week.”
“Too much people talking, I’m just going to be me.”
Today, ahead of his final match for the Hurricanes before heading off to France, Laumape was equally candid.
Having been low-balled by New Zealand Rugby in his most recent contract negotiations, Laumape had no qualms considering alternative options elsewhere.
“I’m pretty disappointed because I think I offer something in the midfield that no other midfielder can offer in New Zealand,” Laumape told media.
“It wasn’t hard [to make a decision] when I was offered a contract that was asking me to take less in income. Once that had come into perspective, I had to make the best decision for me and my kids.”
Whether you think Laumape deserved more opportunities with the All Blacks or was under-valued by NZR, it’s impossible not to appreciate his recent openness. The game will be worse off without Laumape’s honest responses because it’s such a shift away from what rugby players are normally willing to say.
Sam Cane was dragged over the coals last year when he made comments about the criticism that professional players receive from the wider public which any reasonable punter would find impossible to disagree with.
“You’ve just got to remind yourself hey, they may like to think they know a lot about the game of rugby. In reality, they don’t really,” Cane said on Sky Sport’s The Breakdown.
It perhaps wasn’t the wisest thing to say because of the inevitable blowback – but it was honest and it was accurate, and rugby needs more of it.
Rugby needs characters that are willing to speak out, have opinions and be honest because that infinitely improves the product on offer. That doesn’t mean they need to spout hate, but they should be able to reveal their feelings without being maligned.
Professional sports needs heroes and villains – it works incredibly well for the NBA and it’s something that rugby is sorely missing, particularly in New Zealand where the national union has significant control over all parties concerned.
That’s not a problem in of itself, as long as players are willing to behave like individuals – but that’s never going to happen if they get shut down every time they open their mouths and speak ‘out of turn’, as some would say.
Laumape is one of the few players that’s willing to put himself out there and take hits from the critics – and he’ll inevitably face some backlash due to his latest comments – and with him now leaving New Zealand, there’s one less role model for budding players to look up to as someone who’s willing to put their opinion out there.
Ngani Laumape will be missed. Perhaps the Hurricanes will find a replacement for the midfield wrecking ball, and perhaps the All Blacks will go on without him, but Laumape’s candid responses won’t be replaced so easily, and that might be the biggest hole he leaves in the New Zealand rugby landscape.
Comments on RugbyPass
100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
8 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
8 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
8 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
8 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
7 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to comments