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Blues add another All Black prop to their front row stocks as Laulala decides to return home

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala today confirmed he will play his Super Rugby for the Blues for the next two years.

Samoan-born Laulala, educated in Auckland at Mt Albert Grammar and Westley College, wanted to be closer to family in Auckland with his wife Loriana and son Cassius.

 “My wife and I felt the time was right for us to move closer to our families in Auckland. I went to school in Auckland and our extended families are all there,” said Laulala.

“Family is so important to us and even more so for Loriana to have support when I am away.

“I want to thank the Chiefs for all they have done for me.”

It means the Blues will boast four All Black front-rowers, joining Ofa Tuungafasi, Karl Tu’inukuafe and Alex Hodgman. All four are to play in the Rugby Championship in Australia, with Laulala granted paternity leave to delay his departure across the Tasman.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGnpYyYF_4y/

“I am excited to join the Blues and get to train and play alongside Ofa, Alex and Karl and I am looking forward to working with Ben Afeaki, Tom Coventry and the rest of the coaching team.”

Blues head coach Leon MacDonald said Laulala’s move is a further boost for the team.

“Nepo is a powerful scrummager and has worked hard on improving his mobility and handling around the field,” said MacDonald.

“It will be great for the four All Blacks to feed off each other, share information and collectively push themselves to continue to improve.

“It will also give us the opportunity to keep the group fresh and excited each week.”

Laulala will continue to play for Counties-Manukau where his brothers Ray and Casey have played while Luteru is in the current Steelers squad for the Mitre-10 Cup.

Laulala played 34 times for the Crusaders before joining the Chiefs in 2016, playing 41 times across five seasons for the Hamilton-based franchise.

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J
JW 2 hours 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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