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'Let those people keep disrespecting my name, because I'm going to turn up every week'

(Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Hurricanes centre Ngani Laumape fired off at his critics following his game-breaking performance against the Blues in Super Rugby Aotearoa. The All Black centre enjoyed a fine shift at 12 which saw him run rough-shod over the Blues defence, notably burning Hurricanes defector Beauden Barrett on the way to a remarkable early try.

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In the third minute the ball was spun wide to Laumape who was positioned out on the wing with space in front of him. Barrett was playing at fullback but had to rush forward to meet the oncoming Laumape. While the Hurricanes second five is better known for running through players, the former rugby league player instead stepped to the side and burst past Barrett – leaving the fullback clutching at air.

Barrett gave chase and dived to try and bring down Laumape but couldn’t get hands on the rampaging midfielder. Instead, Blues 10 Otere Black (who also started his career with the Hurricanes) was forced to attempt to take Laumape down metres in front of the tryline. Of course, Black stood no chance – and Laumape burst over for the opening try of the match.

Minutes later, Laumape bowled through Barrett in almost the exact same location and came close to scoring a second try but Emoni Narawa managed to bring the blockbusting centre to ground.

When interviewed directly after the match, Laumape words were as direct as his running, as he fired off at critics of his ‘style of rugby’.

“It’s good to be out here and to perform the way I did. A lot of people have been disrespecting my name and I wanted to come out and show everyone the way that I play.

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“I’m happy with that. Let those people keep disrespecting my name, because I’m going to turn up every week.”

“Too much people talking, I’m just going to be me.”

Laumape was widely considered one of the unluckiest men in New Zealand to miss selection for the All Blacks at last year’s World Cup but with Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams heading overseas, a couple of new spots have opened up in the NZ midfield.

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AM 39 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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