Tana Umaga eyes final fling in Super Rugby

[Dizzy]

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

He most probably will, and theres no doubting he'll become All Black coach in the years to come

 

[Shaggy]

He most probably will, and theres no doubting he'll become All Black coach in the years to come

HAHA, I just heard on NZ's Radio sport that he's signed with the Chiefs as a player

 

[TRF_Olyy]

All Black's coach?
Didn't he almost drive Toulon into the ground, so they got rid of him and promptly headed out of the relegation zone?

 

[Shaggy]

Buggar! my bad .. I hit the wrong button ... I mean't to reply to the thread, not to Dizzy's post with quote

Yep, he's signed with the Chiefs as a player to 2012 (I think) ... yep, I think he'll be a good addition to their squad

EDIT: he's signed just for 2011

 

[Darwin]

HAHA, I just heard on NZ's Radio sport that he's signed with the Chiefs as a player

Confirmed here: (http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-15/4280605/Chiefs-sign-Tana-Umaga)

I'm a bit surprised he was signed by the Chiefs, as they do have a number of capable midfield players within the Chiefs catchment region (Willison,Kahui, Tokula, Piutau, Burleigh, with Donald, Sweeney, and Nanai-Williams more than capable of covering there). He will certainly add a lot of experience to the team, and may even get quite a bit of game time after Kahui inevitably gets injured...

 

[Dizzy]

All Black's coach?
Didn't he almost drive Toulon into the ground, so they got rid of him and promptly headed out of the relegation zone?

Yes, but you gotta give the guy credit.. it was his first coaching job and they never got rid of him all together, just got rid of him as head coach so he was still there contributing to the teams success

 

[Amobokoboko]

He signed with the Chiefs. Just awesome.
http://www.allblacks.com/news/14685/Tana-signs-on-with-the-Chiefs-for-Super-Rugby

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yes, but you gotta give the guy credit.. it was his first coaching job and they never got rid of him all together, just got rid of him as head coach so he was still there contributing to the teams success

Aye, head coach is a massive thing to take on with no coaching experience,
I can see him becoming a backs coach to the AB (think he'd be great at that), but not necessarily head

 

[Larksea]

yeah good deal

seemed to me like the his best chance of getting a super spot was for either the Highlanders who need all the help they can get. Or the chiefs who have lost Bruce - who was in pretty poor form this year anyway.

The chiefs weren't going to go into the next season with Jackson-Willson as their first choice 12 - he hasn't really proved himself at super level yet but he's still young.

Plus the fact he's commited to counties means he'll still be in the area.

9, Leonard
10, Donald
11, Sivivatu
12, Umaga
13, kahui
14, Masanga
15, Mills

Awesome Backline, all AB's. With the likes of Willison, Delany, Tim Nai Nai, Save Tokula, barlow to provide cover.

Though I've not heard if the likes of Tokula has been signed? Or Stowers? mickelson?

Will be interesting to see the whole squad when it's done but looks good so far.

 

[Darwin]

yeah good deal

seemed to me like the his best chance of getting a super spot was for either the Highlanders who need all the help they can get. Or the chiefs who have lost Bruce - who was in pretty poor form this year anyway.

The chiefs weren't going to go into the next season with Jackson-Willson as their first choice 12 - he hasn't really proved himself at super level yet but he's still young.

Plus the fact he's commited to counties means he'll still be in the area.

9, Leonard
10, Donald
11, Sivivatu
12, Umaga
13, kahui
14, Masanga
15, Mills

Awesome Backline, all AB's. With the likes of Willison, Delany, Tim Nai Nai, Save Tokula, barlow to provide cover.

Though I've not heard if the likes of Tokula has been signed? Or Stowers? mickelson?

Will be interesting to see the whole squad when it's done but looks good so far.

I still see them playing Delany at 10, with Donald at 12 (though I'm sure the AB selectors would like to see Donald play as much at 10 as possible), with Willison as the primary midfield backup. Though Umuga has been solid for Counties this season, he has hardly been outstanding - I think his biggest impact on the Chiefs squad next year will be in helping develop the young players in the team (particularly Willison).

I haven't heard whether Tokula has been signed (though I suspect he will be signed), but Stowers has already signed for the Blues.

 

[nickdnz]

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/article/-/8211266/umaga-signs-chiefs

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga will play Super 15 rugby for the Chiefs next season.
The 37-year-old, who has turned out for Counties-Manukau in the national provincial championships this season, said he was looking forward to his new role.
"I'm pleased that I'm still able to contribute both on and off the field," he said in a statement.
"Playing for the Chiefs was a good fit, as I'll be able to continue to work with some of the key Counties-Manukau players, like Fritz Lee and Tim Nanai Williams."
Chiefs head coach Ian Foster said Umaga would bring valuable experience to the franchise.
"We've been really impressed with Tana as a player and his impact with Counties on his return from Europe," Foster said. "We believe he will be a valuable asset to the team as he brings a high level of experience, knowledge and leadership."
Umaga has been involved with Super rugby from its inception in 1996 and has played over 300 first class games.

I see him providing cover from the bench, and having a big impact off the field.

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[TRF Mr Fish]

I still see them playing Delany at 10, with Donald at 12 (though I'm sure the AB selectors would like to see Donald play as much at 10 as possible), with Willison as the primary midfield backup. Though Umuga has been solid for Counties this season, he has hardly been outstanding - I think his biggest impact on the Chiefs squad next year will be in helping develop the young players in the team (particularly Willison).

I haven't heard whether Tokula has been signed (though I suspect he will be signed), but Stowers has already signed for the Blues.

Yeah I agree, that will be the best option for them next year.

 

[Amobokoboko]

I hope he will be playing some games and that the Chiefs preform well.

 

[Dizzy]

i hope he gets a good amount of game time although I cant see it happening

 

[dan the man]

It's Awesome that Tana's having a go... To be honest I don't see him getting a massive amount of game-time but i'm sure he'll be influential nun the less.
He played in the original Super 12 in 1996 and now he'll be playing in the expanded Super 15!!! What an awesome achievement!

Hats off