Former All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape has confirmed his return to Super Rugby Pacific ahead of the 2026 season.<\/b><\/p>\n
The powerhouse midfielder has signed a deal with Moana Pasifika for two seasons as he returns to Super Rugby after a spell in France with Top 14 club Stade Fran\u00e7ais.<\/p>\n
That was followed by three seasons in the Japan Rugby League One with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.<\/p>\n
Laumape returns<\/p>\n
The 15-Test\u00a0All Black\u2019s<\/a> arrival bolsters the 2026 Moana Pasifika<\/a> squad, with 30 of the 38 roster spots now locked in.<\/p>\n \u201cOne of the reasons I came back was to be part of the first Moana Pasifika team to win the competition,\u201d Laumape<\/a> said.<\/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 Head coach Fa\u2019alogo Tana Umaga said: \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 and in Japan, he has an open and mature outlook on the game.<\/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 Laumape made a successful switch from rugby league in 2016 and the wrecking ball midfielder quickly made his mark, helping the side win their first-ever Super Rugby title that same year.<\/p>\n 10 All Blacks who could switch international teams before the World Cup<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n