Tana Umaga eyes final fling in Super Rugby

[Intercept King JDV]

Former All Black captain Tana Umaga wants to return to playing Super Rugby even though he will be 38 during next year's Super 15 tournament.

Umaga is reported to have put his hand up for a contract with one of New Zealand's five Super Rugby franchises the man closest to him in his return to the New Zealand game believes teams would be mad not to snap him up.

The former All Black captain who has played 74 Tests for New Zealand has told a media agency that one last hurrah in Super Rugby which he helped launch 15 years ago is appealing to him.

"I haven't counted it out at all," the Counties Manukau midfielder and assistant coach told RugbyNews.

"If anything comes, it comes, but if not that's the way it is."

Counties Manukau head coach Milton Haig says he has no doubts that former Hurricanes star Umaga would be a smart signing.

Haig has offered advice for coaches such as Chiefs mentor Ian Foster and Highlanders counterpart Jamie Joseph who might be considering Umaga who was an original Hurricane back in 1996.

"Sign him up as quick as you can,"said Haig.

"If they want someone who's a cool head with all that experience, a former All Black captain who's played over 300 first-class games and is going to help everyone around him grow, then I couldn't think of anyone better really."
Haig says he has been blow away by Umaga's influence at the resurgent Counties Manukau.

Umaga last played for the Hurricanes back in 2007 and the Hurricanes finished in a very unusual 8th place after many of their stars were pulled from the Super 14 through the All Blacks reconditioning programme.

Source

I really don't know if he will be able to last a full season of Super 15, but it would be nice to see him play again...

 

[TRF_Cymro]

I reckon he could be a good option for a franchise as a squad player. Still got game.

 

[ranger]

He would be a great fit at the Highlanders

 

[nickdnz]

He would be a great fit at the Highlanders

I was thinking that before. They need a good 12 option, and Umaga has shown he's still got a bit more in him to give.

 

[alexrugby]

I think Tana's going to be a heart and soul of team

 

[Sam Owen]

Geez I think he's the last of his era and what an era it was when Tana just stepped in the scene. That would be something to see him running in the Super 15, as long as he can play well why not.

 

[squirrel]

if he plays super 15 next year then gregan and larkham should reunite at the brumbies

 

[alexrugby]

Geez I think he's the last of his era and what an era it was when Tana just stepped in the scene. That would be something to see him running in the Super 15, as long as he can play well why not.

Well era when Tana stepped on arena was really golden, fundamentally different from current

 

[MichaelBoard]

Hes worth a chance, even if he doesn't play to the standards that he once could, he would still be very useful to help nurture younger players

 

[Shaggy]

I'd imagine most of the NZ franchises would be keen to have him in their squads as he wont be restricted in the number of games he can play like their All Blacks undoubtedly will. i agree with the nurturing younger players comment, and it would be great to see him in a team such as the Highlanders to bring a bit of confidence to the team ... his preference would probably be the Hurricanes though, right?

 

[Amobokoboko]

It would be awesome to see him play super rugby next season, hopefully the Chiefs are smart enough to sign him.

 

[Dizzy]

This is great for Tana. I mean, being an original Hurricane, it's only right he is snapped up by them. But he has respect from all areas of New Zealand so I think all franchises apart from the Crusaders will sign him.

 

[Amobokoboko]

When do you think the news will be announced that he got signed by a S15 club

 

[Dizzy]

Not until close to the season. You'd think he wouldn't be signed though. I mean, even though Tana is a great player and provides so much motivation for whomever he is around. The coaches want to sign upcoming talent and with the game being more focussed around the fitness side of things these days, Tana's days are limited. I mean, he's nearly fourty. No doubt he will be a massive help to whomever picks him up, but the coaches aren't going to want him over the younger talent going around these days.

 

[Amobokoboko]

True, but if they sign him they could give him some game time against the weaker teams in S15 e.g. Lions, and the new team.

 

[Amobokoboko]

He might get a coaching position with the Blues or Chiefs

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=10677774

 

[nickdnz]

Scored his first try back in New Zealand.

 

[Sam Owen]

37 year old Tana played really well against McAllistair and his Harbour men. Luke went about his work ok but Tana looked like the better 2nd five IMO. Luke went off pretty early with an injury (hopefully minor).

Lemalu, Luamanu played well with Nanai-Williams showing some good footwork just to name a few. Good game.

 

[Amobokoboko]

Already waiting for the highlights of this game

 

[donmcdazzle]

Highlanders have been hampered by a terrible midfield for years now. They should sign Tana up. Slade, Umaga, then Treeby at centre is a better 10, 12, 13 combo than they've had for many a year.