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New Zealand fans left asking one question after Hurricanes victory: 'How did NZ Rugby let Laumape go?'

Ngani Laumape. (Photo by Grant Down/Photosport)

Ngani Laumape has played his final game for the Hurricanes – and what a game it was.

The All Blacks midfielder finished the game with 96 metres and 11 tackle busts to his name, plus scored the opening try of the match. With a bit more luck, the 28-year-old could have finished with two more scores – but either way, Laumape had a storming last match.

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While the former Warrior has only featured in cameo roles for the All Blacks throughout his three years in the national side, he’ll unquestionably be a mammoth loss for the Wellington franchise.

Since shifting from rugby league back to union in 2016, Laumape has been an absolutely lethal ball-runner for the Hurricanes and tops the majority of their attacking stats over the past six years.

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Since the start of the 2016 Super Rugby season, excluding last night’s fixture, Laumape has scored the most tries (47), made the most carries (779), clocked up the most metres gained (4282), beaten the most defenders (291) and made the most clean breaks (125) of any Hurricanes player.

Ahead of Friday’s game, Laumape confirmed that the contract presented to him by New Zealand Rugby was “disappointing”, which was why he’s made the decision to shift to France.

While he’s never made the same impact for the All Blacks as he has for the Hurricanes, Laumape’s performance against the Reds has understandably left many wondering why NZR weren’t willing to put more money on the table for the 28-year-old, with fans taking to social media to pose the question.

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Laumape will finish his career in New Zealand as the third-top try-scorer of all time for the Hurricanes, not far behind TJ Perenara and Julian Savea.

The Hurricanes’ win on Friday night put them in mathematical contention for the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final but the Highlanders’ bonus point victory over the Brumbies reduced the already small odds.

Currently second on the ladder, the Hurricanes’ will need both the Crusaders and Blues to lose their matches on Saturday against the Rebels and Western Force respectively – which is an unlikely scenario at best.

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R
RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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