Laumape back, to face Virimi Vakatawa

An interesting battle looms of Saturday when strong running Ngani Laumape makes his return to Super Rugby.

The former All Blacks second five-eighth is expected to start for Moana Pasifika and face Virimi Vakatawa of the Fijian Drua in the showdown.

Laumape’s homecoming is tinged with purpose.

At 32, the powerful midfielder is back in Super Rugby after four years in France then Japan, both lucrative destinations for a former All Black who maybe didn’t impact the test scene as much as his talent suggested he might, or how he would have liked.

That’s in the past. However Laumape’s 15-test career in black is judged, he is driven by three obvious goals upon joining Moana Pasifika on a two-year deal.

Representing Tonga, inspiring “young Pasifika kids to chase their dreams” and lifting Tana Umaga’s side up the table. Unnerved, Laumape said he wants to help Moana to their first title no less, a bold claim for a team undergoing a huge overhaul of players after an off-season fraught with concerns about their very existence.

Laumape’s ambitions are nevertheless entwined for the next chapter of his career and emblematic of what Moana intend to represent from Auckland and around the Pacific.

Asked about playing for Tonga, the land of his parents who would move to Palmerston North where Laumape was born, his response was swift and concise.

“It’s the reason why I’m still playing. It’s the one big goal I want to tick off,” Laumape told The Stuff.

“That’s the gigantic motivation to get up every day, to put on the red jersey one day.”

First comes Moana, where Laumape will have to impress. Super Rugby has again been altered since he excelled in six seasons with the Hurricanes (including a title in 2016), but the balance of power remains with the New Zealand sides before the new campaign begins on February 13.

Moana were one spot shy of their first playoff appearance last year. Embarrassing losses to the Chiefs and Laumape’s former team shut-tered their hopes in the final rounds.

Coach Umaga has nonetheless recruited the likes of Laumape and former All Blacks halfback Augustine Pulu, 36, to offset Ardie Savea’s absence as best as possible and offer their refreshed squad some valuable wisdom.

“That was the main thing, but also his experience. Obviously, he’s a quality player, too. “As a midfielder, he suits the kind of game we play. He’s a competitor, that’s what I enjoy about him. He still has the fire and that’s important to us. The ability to want to compete because we need you to compete here and not just come here and think that’s it.”