Super Rugby Pacific: Former All Black Ngani Laumape signs two-year deal with Moana Pasifika

Former All Blacks midfielder Ngani Laumape is set to make a return to New Zealand rugby, signing a two-year deal with Moana Pasifika.

It comes after the Auckland-based Super Rugby Pacific side dropped a bombshell last week, announcing the mass departure of 15 players from their 2025 squad.

“One of the reasons I came back was to be part of the first Moana Pasifika team to win the competition,” Laumape, a 15-test All Black, said.

“Obviously there has to be a lot of hard work and a lot of things behind the scenes that we’ll have to do but why can’t our culture and our people do something great in this competition?

“That’s pretty inspiring and definitely motivating.”

Laumape, 32, began his career in rugby league in 2013 and made 30 appearances for the Warriors in three seasons after coming through the club’s juniors programme.

In 2016, he successfully switched codes to play for Manawatū and the Hurricanes, which led to an All Blacks debut in 2017 against the British and Irish Lions.

But in 2022, Laumape signed a contract with French side Stade Francais on a deal reported to have been worth $1 million per season, only to switch to Japan’s Rugby League One after just one season.

He has spent the last three seasons playing for the Kobelco Kobe Steelers, where Moana Pasifika captain Ardie Savea played in 2024.

Head coach Tana Umaga said Laumape is a talented player who has proven himself on the international stage.

“From his experience in league, the All Blacks, as well as in France and in Japan, he has an open and mature outlook on the game.

“Ngani is also a great person who has done well for himself and his family, and I know he’ll be able to integrate smoothly into our team environment.”

The club described Laumape as a “wrecking ball”, who is known for being a powerful ball carrier and unpredictable on attack.

His arrival sees 30 of Moana Pasifika’s 38 roster spots for the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season now filled.

Laumape is also set to play for Manawatū in the National Provincial Championship.

Benjamin Plummer is an Auckland-based reporter for the New Zealand Herald who covers sport and breaking news. He has worked for the Herald since 2022.