Laumape ‘pumped’ for chance to face Lions

Ngani Laumape has changed; at least a little bit.

As expected, Laumape and fellow All Blacks squad members Julian Savea, Jordie Barrett and Vaea Fifita were released from their national duties, to appear for the Hurricanes in tomorrow’s tour match against the British and Irish Lions.

The Hurricanes had known for a week that the quartet were coming, provided no-one broke down during Saturday’s first test at Eden Park.

Injuries to All Blacks starters Ben Smith and Ryan Crotty threatened to scupper that plan. But Hurricanes head coach Chris Boyd got a text at fulltime to say the foursome were still coming and they soon joined

their Super Rugby team-mates for a Sunday morning gym session.

‘‘Ngani had his top off in the gym and you can see that he’s been doing a lot of work over the past week up in Auckland,’’ wing Nehe Milner-skudder joked of his

Manawatu and Hurricanes teammate.

While Laumape is looking decidedly more muscled, Milnerskudder doubted the second fiveeighth’s belief in his ability had been bolstered by his elevation to the All Blacks’ ranks. ’’He’s a pretty confident fella in general, so it would be hard to get more over-confident. But he’s had a huge year and he’ll be excited and looking forward to this challenge,’’ said Milner-skudder.

Between Laumape, Milnerskudder, Savea, Jordie Barrett and Vince Aso, the Hurricanes have the makings of a terrific backline. All that’s missing is halfback TJ Perenara and first five-eighth Beauden Barrett.

This is Boyd’s third crack at the Lions, having been an assistant to John Plumtree with Wellington and the Sharks in 2005 and 2009. Plumtree is now Boyd’s understudy, with the pair yet to beat the British side. Hurricanes wing Cory Jane came off the bench for Wellington in 2005 and has been named in the same spot tomorrow.