Nothing to see here, insisted the Hurricanes as they flew to Sydney without their blockbusting France-bound midfielder Ngani Laumape for Fridays Super Rugby Trans-Tasman opener.
A day after Laumapes $1 million-plus deal with Stade Francais was announced, the 15-test All Blacks name was missing from the 23 to face the Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (9.45pm NZ time).
With no injury or illness to speak of, and having shown some of his best form in recent weeks, there was natural curiosity as to whether Laumapes departure to France after SRTT was a factor.
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France-bound Hurricanes second five-eighth Ngani Laumape is missing the Sydney trip but will be unleashed against the Rebels next week, says coach Jason Holland.
Not so, said coach Jason Holland at a storm-doused Wellington Airport on Wednesday as he confirmed Peter Umaga-Jensen and Billy Proctor as his new midfield duo amid a strategy to refresh some of their frontliners after a last-placed 2-6 Aotearoa campaign.
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Nothing to do with it. We have always had a bit of a plan in place to make sure we get some new guys some game time. I thought you guys might see a bit of a conspiracy theory around that but unfortunately there is no story in it, Holland said.
Umaga-Jensen for Laumape was one of three changes to the starting 15 who beat the Highlanders 41-22 nearly a fortnight ago. Tighthead prop Alex Fidow (for Tyrel Lomax) and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere (for Scott Scrafton) were the others, among Hollands usual minor tweaks, with Ruben Love again in the drivers seat at first-five.
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Regular centre Peter Umaga-Jensen will don No 12 and team up with Billy Proctor against the Waratahs.
Laumape, instead, was the opposition at Wednesday morning training then farewelled his team-mates until Monday when Holland says he will be back to prepare for the Rebels.
Frustration with a lack of consistent All Blacks opportunities, and an offer understood to be three times his NZ Rugby salary, essentially sealed the deal for 28-year-old Laumape who now has four Hurricanes matches left before heading to Paris with his partner and young family on a three-year deal.
Said Holland: He has been unlucky [with the All Blacks], there is no doubt about that. It just depends on what you think is important for a 12 these days and that changes from team to team.
Ngans has always been desperate to be an All Black and he has worked so hard over the last 4-5 years to improve his game. That is just the way it is, and the All Blacks are a tough team to make and nothing can be taken for granted.
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Ngani Laumape has been back to his best in recent weeks for the Hurricanes.
That is life, and I know Ngans and Mavis have agonised over the decision to leave and do so with a little bit of what-if hanging over them. Sometimes in life you have got to make those decisions and I respect everything that they have been through to make that decision.
For all that, Holland and his Hurricanes had a noticeable spring in their steps as they boarded their first overseas flight since January 2020, when they jetted to Cape Town to face the Stormers.
The Hurricanes have not faced the Waratahs since February 2019, when they snuck a 20-19 victory at Manlys Brookvale Oval.
Both sides have finished at the foot of their respective competitions but the Waratahs 0-8 season has the Hurricanes installed as overwhelming $1.03 favourites after narrow losses to the Crusaders and Chiefs, then a welcome blowout against the Highlanders.
Hurricanes centre Billy Proctor will have a new midfield partner on Friday night at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
We had a couple of days together last week where we did reset, and we looked at what was important and what little bits of our game we wanted to leave behind and what we take forward.
We have had a really good week. We have obviously got to back it up with actions but the boys are invigorated and ready to go and start from scratch.
We have got lots of confidence but we are aware that we have got a little bit to prove around making sure we understand how to win games, and doing the right thing for longer.
Hurricanes: Jordie Barrett, Julian Savea, Billy Proctor, Peter Umaga-Jensen, Salesi Rayasi, Ruben Love, Luke Campbell, Devan Flanders, DuPlessis Kirifi, Reed Prinsep, Isaia Walker-Leawere, James Blackwell, Alex Fidow, Dane Coles (captain), Xavier Numia.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tevita Mafileo, Tyrel Lomax, Liam Mitchell, Brayden Iose, Jonathan Taumateine, Orbyn Leger, Pepesana Patafilo.