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Tana Umaga

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Tana Umaga
ONZM
Umaga in 2005
Birth nameJonathan Falefasa Umaga
Date of birth(1973-05-27)27 May 1973(age 51)
Place of birthLower Hutt,New Zealand
Height1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
SchoolParkway College
Notable relative(s)Mike Umaga(brother)
Jerry Collins(cousin)
Jacob Umaga(nephew)
Peter Umaga-Jensen(nephew)
Thomas Umaga-Jensen(nephew)
Tu Umaga-Marshall(nephew)
SpouseRochelle Umaga
Children4
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre,wing
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994–2005 Petone Rugby Club ()
2005–2006 Toulon 7 (10)
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994–2007 Wellington 100 (260)
2010 Counties Manukau 10 (5)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1996–2007 Hurricanes 122 (235)
2011 Chiefs 7 (5)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–2005 New Zealand 74 (180)
Coaching career
Years Team
2008–2009 Toulon
2010–2011 Counties Manukau(assistant)
2012–2015 Counties Manukau
2015 New Zealand under-20(assistant)
2016–2018 Blues(Head Coach)
2021–2023 Samoa(assistant)
2024– Moana Pasifika
Rugby league career
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1991–1992 Wainuiomata Lions
1992 Wellington
1993–1994 Newcastle Knights
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Medal record
RepresentingNew Zealand
Pierre de Coubertin medal 2003

Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa UmagaONZM(/ˈtɑːnəˈuːmʌŋə/;Samoan pronunciation:[ˈtanaˈuːmaŋa];born 27 May 1973) is a New Zealand formerrugby unionfootballer and former captain of the national team, theAll Blacks.He is head coach ofMoana Pasifikain theSuper Rugbycompetition.

He played for theHurricanesfromSuper 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003.Graham Henrynamed him asAll Blackscaptain in 2004; under his leadership the All Blacks won 19 of their 22 games including the clean sweep of theBritish & Irish Lionsand theGrand Slamin 2005. At the end of 2005, after 74Testcaps(where he scored 36 tries), Umaga retired from international rugby.[1]Umaga played four games in 2007 for theWellington Lionsin theAir New Zealand Cup,to play 100 matches for the province, before taking up the position of coach atToulon.[2]

During his first season coaching in2008–09 seasonToulon was a poor performer in the first half of the season and facing arelegationscare, and there was speculation that he would be replaced byPhilippe Saint-André.Umaga returned to a playing role for Toulon in the second half of that season, and at the same time announced that he would not continue as head coach beyond that season. After helping Toulon exit relegation trouble (they ultimately finished ninth that season), he retired as a player, and remained at Toulon as assistant coach for backs under Saint-André. In March 2010, Umaga again returned to the playing ranks following a serious hip injury toChristian Loamanu.[3]Umaga returned to New Zealand after the2009–10 French seasonto become aplayer-coachwithCounties Manukauand played with the Waikato Chiefs in the 2011 Super Rugby competition.[4]

Early life[edit]

Umaga plaque in Jackson Street,Petone

Umaga was born inLower Hutt,Wellington,New Zealand. He was born toSamoan immigrantparents, and grew up playingrugby league.[5]Umaga played for theWainuiomata Lionsand rose through the ranks, making theWellingtonU-16 and U-17 sides, and was eventually named in theJunior Kiwiside of 1991.The side also featured futureNational Rugby LeaguestarsJoe Vagana,Ruben WikiandGene Ngamu.[6]That same year he signed with theNewcastle Knightsbut within three weeks was back on the plane to New Zealand because of homesickness.[7]He never did play a First-Grade NSWRL Premiership game. In 1993 Tana's brotherMike,who played rugby union forManu Samoa,persuaded him to take uprugby unionin 1994.[8]The brothers played on opposite teams in a Test match between Samoa and New Zealand in 1999 during which Tana scored two tries (the All Blacks won 71–13).[1]

Rugby union career[edit]

1994–1999[edit]

Umaga playedwingfor theWellington Lionsin 1994 and quickly became a fixture in the starting line-up alongside his brother who also played on the wing. Umaga scored more tries than any other player within the team for three successive years,[6]and in 1996 was selected for the originalHurricanessquad. He also played for Italian team Viadana Rugby in the 1994-1995 Italian season.[9]In his second season playing for the Hurricanes he scored a New Zealand record of 12 tries[10](now broken byRico Gear)[11]and earned a call up to the national team at the expense of an illJonah Lomu.He scored a try in his debut test match. WithJonah Lomuregaining his fitness, coupled with a drop in form, Umaga was dropped from the All Blacks until the 1999 season. To accommodate outside backs Umaga,Lomu,WilsonandCullen1996–99 All Black coachJohn HartmovedFullbackChristian Cullen into the midfield.[12][13]

2000 and 2001[edit]

With a new coach inWayne SmithTana Umaga became the regular wing in theAll Blacksline-up. Worries about the shape of the team were swept aside when the team smashedTonga102–0, in a game where debutantesTroy FlavellandDoug Howlettstarred. He also played in the firstBledisloe Cupmatch in 2000, dubbed "the game of the century",[14]scoring an early try. He signed a new four-year contract with theNZRU,and whenAlama Ieremiatook up a contract in Japan, Umaga decided to shift his focus to centre, despite scoring 9 tries in 7 tests on the wing that year.[14]After having played just one match at centre for theHurricanes,Umaga slotted into the midfield for the All Blacks againstFrance,the team that beat theAll Blacksin the semi-final of theWorld cupthe previous year. Umaga had a strong game in a victory. The 2000 season was one of Umaga's best, with him being awarded the Kelvin Tremain Memorial Trophy for New Zealand rugby player of the year. While the Smith era introduced a number of new players into theNew Zealandteam, they could not reclaim theTri NationsorBledisloe Cupin 2000 or 2001. This led to his sacking and the hiring of formerAll Blackmid-week player and successfulChiefscoachJohn Mitchell.

2002 and 2003[edit]

Moving Umaga to the centres was not to everyone's liking claim this as a reason for his loss of pace.[15]Despite this Umaga was named as captain of theWellington Lionsand vice captain of the All Blacks underAnton OliverinJohn Mitchell's first squad.[16]Early on, John Mitchell and assistant coachRobbie DeansfavouredCrusaderMark Robinsonin the midfield. The squad to play againstItalyandIrelandas well as compete in theTri Nationsdid not feature Umaga. Despite news reports about him carrying a knee injury, on the day when theAll Blackswere to take onItaly,Umaga played for his clubPetone.[17]

Umaga, along withTaine Randellthe All Blacks1999 world cupcaptain, were asked to play for theNew Zealand Barbariansagainst theNew Zealand Māori.Randellhimself wasMāoriand did not wish to play against them, and Umaga was placed on thewinga position stated he didn't want to play.[18]After the game Umaga received a call-up to the national team to playFiji,but injured his knee mid game. Umaga told the coaches he was fit for selection for theBledisloe matchtie againstAustraliabut was again no selected,Daryl Gibsontaking the spot on the bench. Umaga again turned out forPetone.

Umaga came off the bench againstSouth Africaat his home groundWestpac Stadium.Umaga would go on to make the Tri-Nations XV; a team based on Zurich world player rankings.[19]Many considered him a good chance to take over the captaincy on the end of year tour from injured regular captainReuben Thorne,but that role was instead handed toTaine Randell.[20]Umaga was to lead the Hurricanes in 2003, taking over fromGordon Slater,under coach Colin Cooper.[21]The Hurricanes made the semi-finals for just the second time in their history after winning a team record seven times in a row,[22]shedding the inconsistent tag that had plagued them since the competition's inception.[23]His form was recognised and he was rewarded with a spot in the All Blacks, named as vice-captain underReuben Thornewho would lead the team to theWorld Cup.

In a test match againstWaleson 21 June 2003, Welsh captainColin Charviswas knocked out in a tackle from All Blacks forwardJerry Collins.Umaga stopped playing despite his team being in an attacking position; to check that Charvis had not swallowed his mouthguard. He placed him in the recovery position and for this act, the Council of theInternational Fair Play Committeeawarded Umaga thePierre de Coubertin medalfor outstanding sportsmanship.[24]Umaga was the first New Zealander to receive the award.[25]TheWelsh Rugby Unionalso presented him with a figurine to honour the display of sportsmanship.

The All Blacks defeated theSpringboks52–16 and theWallabies50–21 away from home in consecutive weeks. New Zealand won both home matches as well, claiming the Tri Nations title and the Bledisloe Cup. This was the first time the All Blacks had won the Bledisloe since 1997. The performance had them regarded as early favourites to win the yearsWorld Cup,along with the eventual winnersEngland.

The opening match of the tournament was to be the All Black lastRugby World Cupappearance. In an attempted back line move, Umaga collided with starFive-EighthCarlos Spencer.Spencer came out unhurt but unfortunately Umaga suffered a damagedposterior cruciate ligamentin his left knee and was forced to leave the field. Umaga would not be play again in the tournament despite being declared fit to play in the semi-final by then All Blacks doctorJohn Mayhew.[26]Leon MacDonaldthe regular backupFullback,was preferred in the centre spot. The All Blacks would lose the game to Australia 22–10 and again fail to reach the final.

The aftermath of the world cup was similar to the last, as coachJohn Mitchellwas dropped. Only two coaches applied for the position of All Blacks head coach, Mitchell who re-applied andGraham Henry.Graham Henry was the former coach of theBluesand was told he would never receive the top job after leaving New Zealand shores to take up a contract with theWalesnational team. Henry's experience in New Zealand and overseas, as well as the skill shown in turning around the Welsh team worked in his favour and he secured the job.

All Black captain: 2004 and 2005[edit]

Graham Henry's first choice as captain of his team was Umaga, and after a disappointingSuper 12,in which theHurricanescame 11th, was selected to replaceReuben Thorne.He was the first New Zealander of Pacific Island heritage to captain the All Blacks in a test match.[27]Umaga's captaincy began well, with victory in the first six tests, including two victories against World Cup holdersEngland.One of them, a 36–3 win atCarisbrookin Dunedin, was at the time the heaviest loss ever by the team that won the most recent Rugby World Cup. The All Blacks of 2004 successfully managed to regain theBledisloe Cup.The winning run came to an end, when the All Blacks lost in both away games against Australia andSouth Africa,putting the All Blacks out of contention for the 2004Tri Nations series.In Paris in 2004 Umaga became the first New Zealand rugby player of non-Maori descent to lead theHaka,thus making him the Prematch Haka leader.

In the 2004 end-of-year tour he oversaw the 45–6 victory overFrance.Umaga also celebrated his 100th match for the Hurricanes, when his team overcame theBlues.They made the semi-final for the second time in three years, but again stumbled to a loss to the championCrusaders.In 2005 theBritish & Irish Lions toured,on top of theTri Nationsand the potentialGrand Slamtour of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

Umaga was involved in an incident in the first Test of the Lions' tour on 25 June 2005 that caused friction between theLionsand the All Blacks. Early in the Test, Umaga and hookerKeven Mealamuupended Lions captainBrian O'Driscollin a post-ruckclean-out. O'Driscoll required surgery on a dislocated shoulder and missed the rest of the tour.[28] The British and Irish media accused Umaga of foul play.[29][30]O'Driscoll and Lions management characterised the incident as a "deliberatespear tackle".[31]The independent citing commissioner found that neither Umaga nor Mealamu had a case to answer at the time due to inconclusive evidence,[32]but after viewing new amateur footage of the incident, Greg Thomas, communications manager for the sport's governing body, theInternational Rugby Board(IRB), described the incident as "unacceptably dangerous" and stated that IRB was instructing referees to suspend players for three to six months for such offences.[33]Daily Telegraph London journalist Brendan Gallagher labelled it as one of the fifty 'ugliest moments' in sports.[34] In August 2014 Brian O'Driscoll renewed his rivalry with Tana Umaga when he completed the ALS ice bucket challenge and immediately nominated the Umaga.[35] New Zealand was undefeated during the Lions tour and won the Tri-Nations, which included the retention of the Bledisloe Cup. The IRB shortlisted Umaga for their 2005 International Player of the Year award (an honour eventually won by fellow All BlackDan Carter). Umaga also led the All Blacks to their second Northern Hemisphere Grand Slam. After playing 74 test matches for his country, Umaga confirmed his retirement from international rugby at a press conference on 10 January 2006. His main reason for retiring was to spend more time with his family as he had just had another child with his wife Rochelle. Umaga's announcement led toRichie McCawsucceeding him as captain.[36]Umaga gave the All Blacks shirt he wore in his final game toSonny Bill Williams,who stated afterwards: "Just getting that jersey gave me butterflies. Hopefully one day I can put on the real thing."[37]

2006 and 2007[edit]

A Polynesian man wearing a yellow rugby jersey and a black jacket with his arm raised
Tana Umaga waving goodbye to fans during his last match

For the2006 Super 14 seasonUmaga handed theHurricanescaptaincy toAll Blacknumber eightRodney So'oialoto focus on his own game.[38]The Hurricanes reached the semi-finals for the third time in four years. Out drinking after the2006 Super 14 Final– in which the Hurricanes lost to theCrusaders– Umaga was seen in a bar hitting teammateChris Masoewith a woman's handbag, breaking her cell phone, after Masoe allegedly attempted to strike another patron. Umaga replaced the woman's damaged cell phone, and the woman went on to sell her handbag and broken cell phone forNZD23,000 on the New Zealand internet auction siteTrade Me.[39]In the2006 Queen's Birthday Honours,Umaga was appointed anOfficer of the New Zealand Order of Merit,for services to rugby.[40]

In the months to come he was reported to be on the wish lists of many top European clubs; his former All Black's teammateAndrew Mehrtenswas forced to publicly deny rumours that Umaga was a target of his club at the time –Harlequins.[41]Umaga eventually signed for French clubToulonthat had been recently relegated from theTop 14toPro D2.His contract allowed him to play the entire2006 Air New Zealand Cup(ANZ Cup) season for Wellington before travelling to France. He ended up playing only seven matches for Toulon as Wellington made the ANZ Cup final. He nonetheless made roughly €350,000 (US$438,000/GBP250,000) that Toulon's co-presidents reportedly paid out of their own pockets.[42]The day before playing his first match for Toulon he was awarded the medal of honour of the city of Toulon (médaille d'or de la ville) by Mayor Hubert Falco. On 29 October 2006, Umaga started in his first game three days after arriving in Toulon scoring his team's only try in a 22–16 victory againstLyon.He was surprised to see how close to the players the fans were and how noisy the atmosphere was.[43]

Umaga returned to New Zealand at the end of his contract with Toulon following their 7 January 2007 win overGrenoble.When Umaga arrived in Toulon they were ninth in the Pro D2 table; when he left they had risen to third. Toulon won eight of nine matches with Umaga on the roster – the only loss coming when he was out injured.[44]Umaga played his last season for the Hurricanes in 2007. His last match for them was on 5 May 2007 at Wellington's Westpac Stadium. On 25 September 2007, Umaga released a book detailing his career.

2011 return[edit]

Umaga was named in the Chiefs' starting line-up for their opening Super Rugby fixture of the 2011 season to face the ACT Brumbies. This signalled his first Super rugby game since he was a Wellington Hurricanes regular in 2007. After playing 7 games he officially retired as a player at the end of 2011 ITM cup season.

Leading of the haka[edit]

Umaga led the team before many test matches theKa Mateversion of the haka and was the first to lead the team with the newerKapa o pangoversion in 2005 against South Africa. In total he was leader for Kapa o Pango two times.[45]

Coaching[edit]

During the2008/09 Top 14 season,Umaga's coaching future was uncertain becauseToulonwere struggling at midseason and were in danger of relegation. This led to speculation in January 2009 that he would be replaced as manager byPhilippe Saint-André.This was confirmed on 27 January 2009, with Umaga taking on the role as player/manager at the age of 35, and at the same time announcing he would not return as head coach for the following season. A late-season return to form eventually brought Toulon to mid-table safety in ninth place. Saint-André took on the managing role effective at the beginning of the2009/10 season,[46]but kept Umaga on as Toulon's backs coach. On Friday, 12 March 2010, Counties Manukau announced that Umaga had signed for the province as a player coach for theAir New Zealand Cup.Counties competed well, with two hard-foughtRanfurly Shieldchallenges and a peak of second on the points table. Counties ended the season in ninth.

Umaga was widely tipped to sign on as head of the Blues franchise for the 2016 Super Rugby competition, following the resignation of Sir John Kirwan from this role in June 2015.[47]

It was confirmed on 23 June 2015 that Umaga would take over as head coach of The Blues at the end of the 2015 ITM Cup Season. Umaga held the position of Head Coach between 2016 and 2018, when he was replaced by Leon MacDonald, but would remain as part of a stable coaching set up as Defence coach.[48]

It was announced on 9 June 2023, that Umaga would take over as the head coach of theMoana Pasifikarugby team for the2024 Super Rugby Pacific seasonafter the departure of previous head coachAaron Mauger.

Family[edit]

Umaga's brotherMikehas represented Samoa at both rugby union and rugby league. Their cousinJerry Collinswas also an All Black. NephewsPeterandThomas Umaga-Jensenhave also represented Wellington at rugby at senior level. Romanian internationalJack Umagaand Samoan internationalSinoti Sinotiare also close relatives of Umaga.

Umaga is married to Rochelle; the couple have four children together.[49]

Personal life[edit]

After retiring from professional rugby, Umaga began trainingBrazilian Jiu Jitsu.In 2022 he earned a silver medal as a brown belt at the IBJJF Masters Worlds competition.[50]Shortly after this achievement, Umaga was promoted to black belt in the sport by his coaches at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in Auckland, New Zealand.[51]

Umaga has an aviationwaypointnamed in his honor. UMAGA is a waypoint located south 10 nautical miles south ofWellington Airport's Runway 34. It is theInitial Approach Fixfor most approaches into Runway 34.[52][53]The exact coordinates are 174° 47' 43.12 "E 41° 29' 54.63" S.[54][55]

References[edit]

  1. ^abTana UmagaatAllBlacks.com
  2. ^"Umaga to Go Out on High".Sportinglife. 1 June 2007.Retrieved6 April2007.
  3. ^"Toulon hold firm to deny Bourgoin".Scrum.com. 26 March 2010.Retrieved26 March2010.
  4. ^NZPA(15 March 2010)."Tana Umaga confirmed as player-coach for Counties".New Zealand Rugby Union.Retrieved16 March2010.
  5. ^Ferguson, David (11 January 2006)."Umaga goes out on a high".The Scotsman.Archived fromthe originalon 13 October 2007.Retrieved7 March2007.
  6. ^abMatheson (2006), pg 14.
  7. ^Matheson (2006), pg 13.
  8. ^Jancetic, Steve (7 August 2008)."Umaga the reason for Sonny's move".Fox Sports.Archived fromthe originalon 22 November 2008.Retrieved8 August2008.
  9. ^"NZ-born former Italian rugby player Kaine Robertson says more Kiwis should head overseas".Stuff.21 January 2015.Retrieved18 August2020.
  10. ^Matheson (2006), pg 17.
  11. ^Weale, Hilary (5 November 2005)."One to Watch: Rico Gear".The Times.London.Retrieved6 February2007.
  12. ^Matheson (2006), pg 27.
  13. ^Matheson (2006), pg 28.
  14. ^abMatheson (2006), pg 41.
  15. ^Matheson (2006), pg 45.
  16. ^Matheson (2006), pg 56.
  17. ^Matheson (2006), pg 65.
  18. ^Matheson (2006), pg 66.
  19. ^Matheson (2006), pg 71.
  20. ^Tana UmagaatAllBlacks.com
  21. ^Matheson (2006), pg 74.
  22. ^Matheson (2006), pg 78.
  23. ^"Hurricanes ride high in rankings".thefanatics.com.Retrieved21 December2006.
  24. ^UNESCO Press (8 December 2004)."Sport prizes awarded by UNESCO"(Press release). UNESCO.Retrieved12 March2007.
  25. ^"Umaga out to tame Lions".British & Irish Lions.Lions Rugby. 7 April 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 22 October 2006.Retrieved13 March2007.
  26. ^Matheson (2006), pg 82.
  27. ^Matheson (2006), pg 88.
  28. ^"Hopefully this really seals it, that we have put this behind us and it is settled".The 42.13 November 2018.Retrieved13 November2018.
  29. ^"Grewcock banned for biting".The Daily Telegraph.London. 26 June 2005.Retrieved6 June2009.
  30. ^"Umaga makes peace with O'Driscoll".Rugby Heaven.29 March 2013.Retrieved9 April2013.
  31. ^"Henry defends duo over O'Driscoll".BBC Sport. 28 June 2005.Retrieved14 November2006.
  32. ^Orlovac, Mark and Jim Stokes (25 October 2005)."No action on new O'Driscoll video".BBC Sport.Retrieved14 November2006.
  33. ^"NZ want O'Driscoll injury laid to rest".Independent Online.26 October 2005.Retrieved1 April2006.
  34. ^"Sports Ugliest moments".Fairfax Digital, Sydney Morning Herald. 8 July 2007.Retrieved8 July2007.
  35. ^O'Driscoll nominates UmageIrish Independent article.
  36. ^Matheson (2006), pg 104.
  37. ^The Sonny Bill files: All you need to know and more,nz.lifestyle.yahoo.com, dated 30 September 2011.
  38. ^"New Hurricanes Captain".hurricanes.co.nz. 11 January 2006.Retrieved16 May2007.
  39. ^"Hurricanes Handbag & Cellphone".Trade Me.
  40. ^"Queen's Birthday honours list 2006".Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 5 June 2006.Retrieved4 May2020.
  41. ^"Mehrtens to take on S African citizenship".The Sunday Star-Times.8 January 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 30 September 2007.Retrieved6 April2006.
  42. ^"Umaga signs with lowly Toulon".Planet-Rugby.com. 29 June 2006. Archived fromthe originalon 9 July 2006.Retrieved29 June2006.
  43. ^"Umaga déjà en vedette (Umaga stars immediately)"(in French). Eurosport.fr. 29 June 2006.Retrieved29 June2006.
  44. ^"Umaga heads for home".Planet-Rugby.com. 8 January 2007.Retrieved8 January2007.[dead link]
  45. ^"The All Blacks have released footage of their first ever Kapa O Pango haka which terrified the Springboks".Rugby Onslaught. 30 April 2020.Retrieved2 July2023.
  46. ^"Umaga out of retirement for Toulon".Television New Zealand.Reuters.27 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 13 June 2011.Retrieved17 November2011.
  47. ^"'I think Tana would be fantastic' – Kirwan quits Blues ".TVNZ.
  48. ^theblues.co.nz."Umaga named as Head of Coach for the Blues".Archived fromthe originalon 24 June 2015.Retrieved24 June2015.
  49. ^Harris, Sarah (5 February 2018)."Filmmaker of Sharing the Love Rochelle Umaga shares whangai experience".NZ Herald.Retrieved2 July2018.
  50. ^BjjTribes (14 September 2022)."New Zealand Ex-Rugby Captain Tana Umaga trains BJJ & earns silver at Masters Worlds".BjjTribes.Retrieved15 September2022.
  51. ^"New Zealand Rugby Legend Tana Umaga Promoted to BJJ Black Belt".7 December 2022.
  52. ^"Welcome to AIP New Zealand | AIP New Zealand"(PDF).www.aip.net.nz.Retrieved22 January2023.
  53. ^"Welcome to AIP New Zealand | AIP New Zealand"(PDF).www.aip.net.nz.Retrieved22 January2023.
  54. ^"UMAGA waypoint | OpenNav".opennav.com.Retrieved22 January2023.
  55. ^"NZFF • Waypoint names".nzff.org.Retrieved22 January2023.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Matheson, John (2006).Tana Umaga – A Tribute to a Rugby Legend.Celebrity Books.ISBN1-877252-29-8.

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related toTana Umaga.
Sporting positions
Preceded by All Blacks Captain
2004–2005 		Succeeded by
Awards
Preceded by Leadership Award
2006 		Succeeded by
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