Former All Blacks prop Nepo Laulala has been handed a career lifeline, signing a contract with Gloucester after being on the brink of retirement.
The tighthead prop’s playing career hung in the balance when he was released mid-season by French Top 14 club Toulouse after rupturing his Achilles tendons.
Nepo Laulala returns from the brink of retirement
He has since spent the last three months rehabilitating at Kingsholm and is expected to return to the field by the start of the league season.
“I’m really grateful to George [Skivington, Gloucester Director of Rugby] and everybody at Gloucester for welcoming me to Kingsholm after going through a pretty rough time in France,” Laulala said in the club’s statement.
“It was a scary time not knowing where my future lay, but I’m looking forward to repaying everybody here for the faith they’ve put in me.
“I’ve heard great things about Gloucester and the Cherry & White fans, and I can’t wait to get out there and play in front of them.”
The powerhouse prop was the cornerstone of the All Blacks‘ pack for eight years, amassing 53 Test caps. He represented New Zealand at two Rugby World Cups, finishing in third place in Japan in 2019 and second in France in 2023.
Educated Wat esley College, Laulala represented Auckland and Canterbury in the ITM Cup and made his Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders. He also went on to have stints with the Chiefs and Blues.
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After two seasons and 38 appearances back in Auckland with the Blues, Laulala moved to the Northern Hemisphere after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, joining French giants Toulouse.
“Nepo is a 50-odd cap All Black, and that pretty much speaks for itself in terms of the calibre of player we’ve signed,” said Skivington.
“We moved quickly to get him here in the building and start his rehab, which gave us a jump on the other side’s, and most importantly, Nepo has been really grateful for how we’ve supported him with his injury.
“He’s looking really good, he’s coming through all the tests that we’ve been putting him through, and we’re confident he can have a big impact for us this season.
“A big thanks must go to Rhys Hughes and the Medical Department for the work they’ve done with Nepo.”
Laulala is the latest confirmed signing for Gloucester, with the club signing James Venter, Jack Innard, Josh Basham, Jack Mann, Will Trenholm, Mike Austin, Ross Byrne, Will Joseph, Ben Loader and Rob Russell ahead of next season.
Last month the club also announced 19 departees: Freddie Clarke, Charlie Chapman, Ruan Ackermann, Chris Harris, Santiago Carreras, Albert Tuisue, Louis Hillman Cooper, Morgan Adderly Jones, Mayco Vivas, Ioan Jones, Rory Taylor, Morgan Nelson, Alfie Petch, Christian Wade, Gareth Anscombe, Gareth Blackmore, Zach Mercer, Aristot Benz Salomon and Matty Ward.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/ex-all-blacks-forward-handed-career-lifeline-after-scary-time-in-france
