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A 12-word Ngani Laumape tweet has whipped up his online followers

(Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape has ignited an online debate with his first Twitter message since suddenly exiting Stade Francais. The 29-year-old, who won the last of his 15 Test caps in November 2020, is currently a free agent after it was agreed by the Top 14 club to release the New Zealander from the remaining two years of his contract.

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That confirmation emerged on August 1 and at the time Laumape, in a message posted to Facebook, spoke about his gratitude to Stade Francais for their understanding in allowing him to leave early.

“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 following his departure from the Top 14 club he played 22 games with following his 2021 arrival from the Hurricanes.”

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It was speculated in the French media that the next stop for Laumape would potentially be the Top League in Japan but there has been nothing concrete about that link and a tweet posted to his Twitter account has now left fans debating when he should next try to play.

“Can’t wait for my first rugby game back wherever I end up,” wrote Laumape on Twitter, his first post on that particular social media platform since he retweeted a July 27 World Rugby video showing Maro Itoje presenting medals to kids on a recent trip to Kenya.

The tweet by Laumape, which has so far attracted more than 80 replies, over 40 retweets and nearly 700 likes, was quickly replied to by Lima Sopoaga, his fellow former All Blacks teammate who now plays his club rugby in France at Lyon. “Just tell the people,” he teased in a four-word response that was followed by three emoji faces with dollar symbols.

Numerous rugby fans from a wide variety of clubs around the world soon weighed in on the debate, appealing to Laumape to join their team. There was, in particular, much support for Laumape to return to New Zealand as this would make him eligible again for All Blacks selection. JJ Taulagi, the former Samoa centre who will play his club rugby for the 2022/23 season at Massy, added: “Hard out. This guy’s playing with people’s emotions. Dammit.”

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4 Comments
H
Haunui 834 days ago

I know another team that could use a hard running second five to get over the gainline at the moment.

M
Martin 835 days ago

Why did he leave Stade Francais ?

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JW 13 minutes ago
'Passionate reunion of France and New Zealand shows Fabien Galthie is wrong to rest his stars'

Where? I remember saying "unders"? The LNR was formed by the FFR, if I said that in a way that meant the 'pro' side of the game didn't have an equal representation/say as the 'amateur' side (FFR remit) that was not my intent.


But also, as it is the governing body, it also has more responsibility. As long as WR looks at FFR as the running body for rugby in France, that 'power' will remain. If the LNR refuses to govern their clubs use of players to enable a request by FFR (from WR) to ensure it's players are able to compete in International rugby takes place they will simply remove their participation. If the players complain to the France's body, either of their health and safety concerns (through playing too many 'minutes' etc) or that they are not allowed to be part in matches of national interest, my understanding is action can be taken against the LNR like it could be any other body/business. I see where you're coming from now re EPCR and the shake up they gave it, yes, that wasn't meant to be a separate statement to say that FFR can threaten them with EPCR expulsion by itself, simply that it would be a strong repercussion for those teams to be removed (no one would want them after the above).


You keep bringing up these other things I cannot understand why. Again, do you think if the LNR were not acting responsibly they would be able to get away with whatever they want (the attitude of these posters saying "they pay the players")? You may deem what theyre doing currently as being irresponsible but most do not. Countries like New Zealand have not even complained about it because they've never had it different, never got things like windfall TV contracts from France, so they can't complain because theyre not missing out on anything. Sure, if the French kept doing things like withholding million dollar game payments, or causing millions of dollars of devaluation in rights, they these things I'm outlining would be taking place. That's not the case currently however, no one here really cares what the French do. It's upto them to sort themselves out if they're not happy. Now, that said, if they did make it obvious to World Rugby that they were never going to send the French side away (like they possibly did stating their intent to exclude 20 targeted players) in July, well then they would simply be given XV fixtures against tier 2 sides during that window and the FFR would need to do things like the 50/50 revenue split to get big teams visiting in Nov.

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