{"id":171874,"date":"2025-06-10T03:05:10","date_gmt":"2025-06-10T03:05:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/171874\/"},"modified":"2025-06-10T03:05:10","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T03:05:10","slug":"former-all-black-ngani-laumape-signs-with-moana-pasifika","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/171874\/","title":{"rendered":"Former All Black Ngani Laumape signs with Moana Pasifika"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blockbusting midfielder Ngani Laumape<\/a> has signed a two-year deal with Super Rugby Pacific\u2019s rising powerhouse, Moana Pasifika.<\/p>\n

The signing sees the barnstorming 17-time All Black return to New Zealand<\/a> shores for the first time since 2021, when he was a contentious omission from the All Blacks<\/a> squad.<\/p>\n

The Manawatu<\/a> product will return to the Turbos in the NPC while rejoining former Kobe Kobelco Steelers teammate Ardie Savea<\/a> in Albany.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the reasons I came back was to be part of the first Moana Pasifika<\/a> team to win the competition,\u201d Laumape said, having won a Super Rugby title in 2016 with the Hurricanes.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, there has to be a lot of hard work and a lot of things behind the scenes that we\u2019ll have to do, but why can\u2019t our culture and our people do something great in this competition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s pretty inspiring and definitely motivating.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cFor 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\u2019ve been overseas for four years now, and I enjoy playing in front of my family.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

This news comes just days after the club revealed a 15-man list of departing players, which included young star Kyren Taumoefolau<\/a> as well as other more experienced talents.<\/p>\n

Head coach Fa\u2019alogo Tana Umaga<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n

Regardless, the first big domino of the team\u2019s offseason has now fallen, with Laumape set to add plenty of excitement to an already physical midfield.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re 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<\/a> and in Japan, he has an open and mature outlook on the game,\u201d Umaga said of the signing.<\/p>\n

\u201cNgani is also a great person who has done well for himself and his family, and I know he\u2019ll be able to integrate smoothly into our team environment.\u201d<\/p>\n