Story by Alex Chapman /Sport Nation
An All Blacks icon and former captain is being lined up to join Dave Rennie’s coaching group.
Sport Nation understands Tana Umaga is one of those being considered as part of a largely rejigged staff under the new All Blacks coach, which could be announced as early as next week.
If appointed, the 52-year-old – who was the first Pasifika All Blacks captain – will work under the first All Blacks coach of Polynesian descent.
Rennie is of Cook Islands descent through his mother (Titikaveka, Rarotonga), while Umaga is of Samoan heritage. He was granted and uses the Samoan chiefly honorific title of Faʻalogo, meaning ‘the listener’.
Umaga signed a three-year deal to coach Moana Pasifika in 2023, which is due to expire at the end of the current Super Rugby season. He also coached the Blues from 2016-2018.
Dave Rennie will have his hands full returning New Zealand to the most feared team in the world | Photo: James Gourley/AAP
Umaga captained the All Blacks from 2004 until his retirement in 2005, leading them in 21 Tests, of which they won 18.
His winning percentage of 85% is higher than the likes of renowned past All Blacks skippers Sir Brian Lochore, Wilson Whineray, Graham Mourie and Sean Fitzpatrick.
In the 2006 Queen’s Birthday Honours, he was made a member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.
Dave Rennie on becoming first Pasifika All Blacks head coach | Sport Nation
Speaking last week at his first press conference as All Blacks coach, Rennie said that he wanted “people you trust and people you know who can do the job” and in Umaga he has that.
Rennie was head coach of Wellington from 2000-02, and an assistant in 2002 under Graham Mourie, while Umaga was a player with both sides.
Among other names who have been speculated as part of the new-look staff are Neil Barnes and Andrew Strawbridge – both of whom Rennie worked with at the Chiefs.
Barnes is the current Taranaki NPC coach, while Strawbridge was an assistant under Ian Foster at the 2023 World Cup, before working with England coach Steve Borthwick, and is currently with Foster at Toyota Verblitz in Japan.
It’s unclear which of Scott Robertson’s staff will keep their roles, though sources have indicated the large majority won’t remain.
