Umaga to quit Toulon and return to New Zealand
By AAP, 16 Mar 2010 AAP is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- All Blacks, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Tana Umaga
Former All Black great Tana Umaga is to return to New Zealand and leave his post as a member of the backroom staff of France Top 14 club Toulon.
The 36-year-old centre, who was relieved of his duties as player-coach of Toulon after a difficult season in the Top 14 league in France last term, has signed a two-year contract to be the backs coach at Manakau Counties in Auckland.
The departure of Umaga could throw the future of former Canterbury NRL star Sonny Bill Williams into doubt, with the presence of the former All Blacks skipper a main factor in his decision to join the club in 2008.
Williams controversially signed for Toulon after walking out on the Bulldogs midway through the season and has been linked with a return to the NRL and also with Super 14 rugby teams in New Zealand.
Umaga, capped 79 times by the All Blacks, has not ruled out playing again in the New Zealand domestic championship, and is returning home primarily to be with his eldest son Cade, whom he hasn’t seen in a year.
“Tana has always been straight, transparent and honest with me and we have excellent relations,” said Toulon manager Philippe Saint-Andre.
However, Umaga may even be called upon to play for Toulon before his departure because of a season-ending injury to wing Christian Loamanu and with the club hoping to preserve their place among the top six at the end of the regular season to earn a place in the play-offs.
“I have to be at Counties by the end of June, but if it is necessary to play next week I will do it. Not for 80 minutes mind you, but for at least 20,” he told L’Equipe newspaper on Monday.
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Gary Russell-Sharam said | March 16th 2010 @ 8:20am | Report comment
Dare I say it and risk the ire of the entire New Zealand population. Great player and marvelous captain that Umaga was I don’t know if he has the same quality as a coach. Time will tell, I think he will be better off back in NZ away from the instability of the french physc. He was an inspirational leader and a man amongst men when playing but as we have seen many a time that these qualities don’t always pass on to coaching. I will watch with interest.
Sylvester said | March 16th 2010 @ 8:49pm | Report comment
Very true Gary, and I’m sure Tana has realised this himself, which is why he’s coming back to a very low-profile role to try and learn the ropes without too much weight of expectation.
Davey said | March 17th 2010 @ 11:35am | Report comment
Fare enough Gary but I think this signing is probably for Umaga to bring some Wellington and Island youth to Counties and hopefully help the province out long term.
johnno42 said | March 17th 2010 @ 1:30pm | Report comment
tana umaga – mighty all black and inspirational all black captain… how can this not be fantastic for counties – manukau??
Ora said | March 17th 2010 @ 3:18pm | Report comment
I’d say more like Tana left New Zealand straight from the playing ranks and has had three years as a player coach, give the guy some slack you don’t learn how to be a master coach overnight. Not sure if ZCounties is the right move to be honest it is nowhere near the powerhouse it once waas far from it in fact