Moana Pasifika pick up All Blacks centre
A former All Blacks midfielder has signed a two-year with Moana Pasifika.
Ngani Laumape joins the Super Rugby Pacific franchise from the Kobelco Kobe Steelers.
The 32-year-old had a three-season stint in Japan where he played alongside Ardie Savea, who captained Moana Pasifika to a seventh-placed finish in this year’s Super Rugby tournament.
“One of the reasons I came back was to be part of the first Moana Pasifika team to win the competition,” Laumape 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,” added Laumape, who played 15 Tests for the All Blacks from 2017 to 2020.
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) June 10, 2025
“We’re excited to welcome Ngani to our Moana Pasifika aiga,” said head coach Tana Umaga. “Ngani is a talented player who has proven himself on the international stage. From his experience in [rugby] 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.”
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