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'Can't wait to get to work': Ngani Laumape confirms his new club
By Liam Heagney
Just weeks after negotiating the early termination of his Top 14 contract with Stade Francais, former All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape will be off on his travels again as he has confirmed a three-year deal to play for Kobe Steelers in Japan.
It was August 1 when it was agreed in France that Laumape, the 29-year-old who won the last of his 15 New Zealand Test caps in November 2020, would not be playing in the 2022/23 Top 14 as the club were allowing him to leave just a year into his three-year deal due to family reasons.
“Thank you Stade Francais for the opportunity. Got to meet some amazing people during my time in Paris which I’ll never forget. Merci. Wish you guys all the best for the upcoming season,” wrote Laumape at the time of his departure from the Top 14 club he played 22 games with following his 2021 arrival from the Hurricanes.
He had since toyed with fans, initially asking them where they would like to see him play next season and then also tweeting that he was back in Wellington and that he got “goosebumps driving past Sky Stadium”.
However, the Hurricanes won’t be his home in 2023 as Laumape has now tweeted his delight that a deal has been signed with Kobe Steelers, Dan Carter’s former Top League team. “Excited for the next three seasons, Kobe Steelers. Can’t wait to get to work with the team.”
Laumape gave a more considered reaction on the Kobe website, telling the Japanese club’s fans: “I am excited to start a new career with the Kobelco Kobe Steelers. I myself am a fan of Japanese rugby, which continues to grow, and believe that my style fits well with Japanese rugby and the Kobe Steelers.
“The challenge will continue until the end of the season. I will do my part to bring good results to Kobe Steelers and Steelers fans. I can't wait to have new experiences in Japan with my family and to share the pitch with my new teammates.”
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Latest Comments
The way Ratima has been treated he needs to look OS. Same with Perofeta and Love, Hothem too. Razor is a token coach. Gives debuts but very few mins. Also DM too. Just go earn millions elsewhere DM as all you get in NZ is bagging.
BB is coaches favourite and I say let him have BB right thru to the next 2 or maybe even 3 World cups.😁😁 Have JB outside him at 12...That just works so well.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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