Laumape Released to Union

[Fufu Andronez]

Big loss IMO

 

[Fufu Andronez]

Vodafone Warriors outside back Ngani Laumape has been granted a release to switch to rugby union.

The 22-year-old, who was signed until the end of the 2016 NRL campaign, has been sidelined after having knee surgery.

After picking up an ACL injury in a training session in February, he recovered to play one game for the club’s New South Wales Cup side in late March only to further aggravate the injury.

“It has been a difficult season for Ngani after having such a good preseason,” said Vodafone Warriors head coach Andrew McFadden.

“His plan was to come back next season after his surgery but he has an opportunity to return to rugby union which he’s keen to take up. We wish him all the best with it.”

Laumape made his NRL debut against Cronulla in 2013, going on to make 14 appearances that season and another 16 last year. He scored 11 tries in his 30 games shared between the wing and the centres.

He started with the Vodafone Warriors in 2012 when he made 20 appearances in his rookie NYC season.

Also leaving at the end of the season is off-contract utility Dominique Peyroux. He has signed with English Super League club St Helens.

Peyroux (26), a regular in the club’s New South Wales Cup side, has played 20 NRL games – four this season – since joining the Vodafone Warriors in 2013.

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[shiznit]

Hopefully he comes back to the Blues... We could use him.

It wouldn't shock me if he signed with an Australian team... They always look at signing NZ juniors with an eye to have them eligible for the Wallabies.

 

[jaseg]

That's a terrible move. Really good quality player who looked at home in NRL from his first match, and could play both centre and wing (at more or less the same standard). Still got Allwood on the books though?

 

[JJ]

staggering, he's the best of the young backs imo - poor decision for mine

 

[RHYTHM AND STEALTH]

WOW, did not see this coming. Why the hell Union though???

Whats his attitude like around the place does anyone know. Just seems like that hes out for the year and we have some pretty good players in his position coming through and hes thought fugg it im not fighting for my spot ill go to Yawnion

Hope im wrong

 

[Warrior@Heart]

Wish he stayed but if he does go to Union hope he plays for the Blues and not the Chiefs.

 

[shiznit]

WOW, did not see this coming. Why the hell Union though???

Whats his attitude like around the place does anyone know. Just seems like that hes out for the year and we have some pretty good players in his position coming through and hes thought fugg it im not fighting for my spot ill go to Yawnion

Hope im wrong

He's from RU originally I think.

There's been a lot of talk that both him and RTS were going to go back eventually.

I think the scary thing for the Warriors is if Laumape goes back to RU and does well...

RTS might see that and jump ship when his next contract is due.

 

[jamaman]

last we will hear of him! r.i.p.

 

[Izz]

Think Laumape is totally the wrong body shape for a union back, but we'll see. Last season there were plenty of rumours swirling that he was unhappy at the club and wanted to go back to union. While he's definitely a loss imo, if he's not happy then really best to let him go, isn't it? Not like he'll be strengthening any of our competition.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

staggering, he's the best of the young backs imo - poor decision for mine

Poor decision on whose part? Sounds like he wanted to go. I'm bummed that we're losing him because like everyone else I rate the guy but the reality is with the depth we've got coming through in the outside backs we can't afford to keep anyone that doesn't 110% want to be there.
One things for sure I'd expect Fish to be putting in a blinder tomorrow because this makes his future at the club a lot more tenable.

 

[Mixmasterreece]

Apparently;
1. Going back home to palmy so hurricanes likely
2. Threw in the towel once he got an offer (had been actively looking for 3 months) wasn't interested in putting in the effort to get his spot back next year once he saw kata cement a spot.

So..... Not really our choice. Best for both parties.

 

[shiznit]

Ohhh he's from Palmy... A Manawatu Turbo.

Good timing for him at the Hurricanes with Nonu and Smith gone.

He could end up pairing up in the centres with Nehe Milner-Skudder who was part of the Bulldogs NYC.

 

[SpaceMonkey]

Ohhh he's from Palmy... A Manawatu Turbo.

Good timing for him at the Hurricanes with Nonu and Smith gone.

He could end up pairing up in the centres with Nehe Milner-Skudder who was part of the Bulldogs NYC.

Yeah that makes a lot of sense. Gets to move home and have a real shot at the Canes and probably has dreams of the ABs. Not gonna blame the club at all for this one.

 

[One Warrior]

Disappointed, but understandable given he wanted to go back to Union.

 

[Sanchez]

Ohhh he's from Palmy... A Manawatu Turbo.

Good timing for him at the Hurricanes with Nonu and Smith gone.

He could end up pairing up in the centres with Nehe Milner-Skudder who was part of the Bulldogs NYC.

Milner Skudder isnt going to be a centre long term if at all. His futures at fullback

 

[lafai]

ok this shocked me he's a gun

 

[vvvrulz]

Big loss, he was the best of the rookies by some distance

 

[Matua]

Bummer. Hurrell got all the hype, but Laumape was the real deal. Pity he didn't hang around and try and make the Kiwis.

Home to the Turbos and try and get into the Canes.

Apparently;
1. Going back home to palmy so hurricanes likely
2. Threw in the towel once he got an offer (had been actively looking for 3 months) wasn't interested in putting in the effort to get his spot back next year once he saw kata cement a spot.

Sounds like bullshit TBF, all he had to do was get over his injury and he'd walk one of the centre spots.

He's from RU originally I think.

There's been a lot of talk that both him and RTS were going to go back eventually.

I think the scary thing for the Warriors is if Laumape goes back to RU and does well...

RTS might see that and jump ship when his next contract is due.

I always assumed when he signed with the Warriors that he'd return to rugby once the contract was up.

 

[JJ]

Poor decision on whose part? Sounds like he wanted to go. I'm bummed that we're losing him because like everyone else I rate the guy but the reality is with the depth we've got coming through in the outside backs we can't afford to keep anyone that doesn't 110% want to be there.
One things for sure I'd expect Fish to be putting in a blinder tomorrow because this makes his future at the club a lot more tenable.

Warriors was my thinking - he's streets ahead of Hurrell, Kata, Fish etc in my book - I hope they really tried to keep him, but if he wanted out then it makes sense