An impressive physique
If Gaël Fickou was already a physically imposing center (1.90 m for 100 kg), Ngani Laumape (28) weighs three kilos less but is 19 centimeters smaller (1.71 m for 97 kg).
A different size from the French who promises to torture the defenses of the Top 14 next season.
With his very low center of gravity and muscle mass, bringing the New Zealander to the ground will not be easy.
Especially since it displays a fairly interesting burst of speed.
Be careful not to let him gain momentum.
His team-mate in selection, Nehe Milner-Skudder (16 caps), confided in 2017 that it is "quite easy [to play] when a guy like him will hit as the first attacker, and move the team forward".
He had called it a "wrecking ball".
His absence from the 2019 World Cup was a surprise
Two years ago, when Steve Hansen announced his selection for the Japanese World Cup, the name of Ngani Laumape was missing, to everyone's surprise.
The coach of the All-Blacks had preferred to take to the land of the rising sun four centers more experienced than the one who was then 26 years old.
If the selections of Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown were rather justified, those of Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty were a little more surprising given the season of Laumape.
Hansen had justified this choice by the experience and versatility of the latter two.
"These little things him (Ryan Crotty, editor's note) probably gave the advantage over Ngani," he explained.
Ngani Laumape now has 15 selections for 40 points with the black jersey.
His test against France in 2018:
Happy birthday to All Blacks mid-fielder Ngani Laumape!
What better way to celebrate than re-living this try against France last year.
pic.twitter.com/CoBhDm2nlB
- All Blacks (@AllBlacks) April 21, 2019
Trained in rugby union, he started with rugby union
Ngani Laumape was trained in rugby union in his hometown of Palmerston North.
At 19, in 2012, he finally decided to branch out into rugby union by signing up with the New Zealand Warriors, the only New Zealand franchise in the Australian championship.
He started with the Juniors where he finished best in the competition (16 tries).
He played for the first time for professionals in March 2013. After three seasons of good quality, even if the last was marred by a serious knee injury, he returned to rugby union.
He joined the Hurricanes in Super Rugby in July 2015. In 61 matches, he scored 230 points in 46 tries.
His hat-trick against Japan with the 2018 All-Blacks
HATRICK |
Ngani Laumape was on against @JRFURugby.
How did you rate these 3⃣ tries?
Check out all 7⃣8⃣ tries that the All Blacks scored in 2018 here https://t.co/veOKBXdAX6pic.twitter.com/fv6itjuvqt
- All Blacks (@AllBlacks) December 13, 2018
Younger, he scared his future teammates in the All Blacks
Already physically impressive at an earlier age, Ngani Laumape was even feared by his future teammates in the All-Blacks.
Ardie Savea (44 caps) admitted in 2015 that "he was one of the few guys I was afraid to play against [when I was in school], he had no brakes and just wanted to run. straight ahead and knock over the players ”.
Not everyone can claim to have scared a future New Zealand holder of 1.90m per 100 kg.
Ngani Laumape dropping Beauden Barrett with the Hurricanes in 2020.
Ngani Laumape was terrifyingly good for the @Hurricanesrugby on Saturday night!
We can't look past him for Try of the Round.
# HURvBLUpic.twitter.com / RvxyR5fXwW
- Super Rugby (@SuperRugbyNZ) July 20, 2020
His parents emigrated from Tonga to New Zealand
“Mum and dad came from Tonga, they didn't know English but they came to give their children a better life.
The only way to thank my parents is to go out on the pitch and do my best, ”explained Ngani Laumape last October before New Zealand's match against Australia.
“We didn't have a lot of opportunities growing up.
I remember when I was young we used to work on the farm collecting asparagus, peas and zucchini.
I hated school holidays because I had to work on the farm, picking up peas, ”he recalled.
Read also
Brain operated, James Lasis makes "slow progress"
