Departing Hurricanes and All Blacks second five-eighth Ngani Laumape says his decision to leave for France was made easy by New Zealand Rugby offering him a pay cut.
The 28-year-old, who played 15 tests for the All Blacks and six seasons for the Hurricanes, spoke for the first time about his deal with Stade Francais on Wednesday as he prepares to play his final match in the yellow jersey against the Reds at Sky Stadium on Friday.
Laumape said he wasn’t thinking about a return to New Zealand, either, as he eyes a three-year deal in France, understood to be worth $1 million-plus per season.
“It wasn’t hard [the decision] when I was offered a contract [by NZ Rugby] that was asking me to take less income,” Laumape said. “Once that came into perspective I had to make the best decision for me and my family and my kids.”
