Dropped All Blacks centre Ngani Laumape vows to let his actions do the talking, after missing out on New Zealand's Rugby World Cup squad.
Laumape was omitted from the 31-man squad in favour of Sonny Bill Williams, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown.
Despite the likes of prop Owen Franks and lock Jackson Hemopo also missing out on selection, Laumape was widely considered the unluckiest All Black omission.
Instead of playing for the All Blacks in Japan, Laumape will instead ply his trade for Manawatu in the Mitre 10 Cup.
On Friday, the 26-year-old took to Instagram, where he spoke out for the first time since missing selection.
The post came after he inspired the Turbos to their first win of the Mitre 10 Cup season - a 31-25 triumph over Northland in Palmerston North.
"While they sit around and criticise I'm gna [sic] let my actions speak for me," Laumape posted, along with a photo of him in Manawatu's changing room. "Have blessed Friday."
The post generated more than 6000 likes in two hours, with current All Blacks Ardie Savea, Ryan Crotty and Aaron Smith commenting on the post, while a host of league stars also liked the photo.
Last week, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen admitted Laumape was unlucky not make the World Cup squad.
"Whoever we left out was going to be disappointed and probably deserved to be in the team," Hansen said at the squad announcement.
"In the case of Ryan [Crotty], he's got a lot of experience and has been in the All Blacks leader group. He's a quality player, he can play both second-five and centre, and those little things probably edged him ahead of [Laumape]."
The All Blacks face Tonga in their final warm-up match on Saturday in Hamilton.
All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Sam Whitelock, 6-Ardie Savea, 7-Matt Todd, 8-Kieran Read, 9-TJ Perenara, 10-Beauden Barrett, 11-George Bridge, 12-Ryan Crotty, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown, 14-Sevu Reece, 15-Ben Smith
Reserves: 16-Liam Coltman, 17-Ofa Tuungafasi, 18-Angus Ta'avao, 19-Scott Barrett, 20-Luke Jacobson, 21-Aaron Smith, 22-Josh Ioane, 23-Jordie Barrett
Tonga: 1-Siegfried Fisiihoi, 2-Siua Maile, 3-Siua Halanukonuka, 4-Sam Lousi, 5-Leva Fifita, 6-Sione Kalamafoni, 7-Fotu Lokotui, 8-Maama Vaipulu, 9-Sonatane Takulua, 10-Kurt Morath, 11-Viliami Lolohea, 12-Siale Piutau, 13-Malietoa Hingano, 14-Cooper Vuna, 15-David Halaifonua
Reserves: 16-Sione Anga'aelangi, 17-Vunipola Fifita, 18-Ma'afu Fia, 19-Dan Faleafa, 20-Zane Kapeli, 21- Leon Fukofuka, 22-James Faiva, 23-Atieli Pakalani
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Join us at 2:30pm Saturday for live updates of the All Blacks v Tonga clash
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The ninth Rugby World Cup kicks off on September 20 in Japan - the first time it has been hosted in Asia.
