Tana Umaga Return.

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Tana Umaga looks poised to make a shock return to New Zealand Rugby.

The 74 test All Black is off contract with French club Toulon at the end of the current season. He is in negotiations with Counties-Manukau about being their player/coach for the 2010 Air New Zealand Cup.

It is understood Counties are very close to signing Umaga and an announcement could come as early as this week.

Umaga is currently in South Africa playing a 10s tournament in Cape Town, while Counties have refused to comment.[/b]

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/rugby/news/arti...countiesmanukau


Interesting news. I'm fairly if he signs, it'd be because he wants to start his coaching career, however even at his age, I'd throw him a S14 contract. And you never know, with a World Cup coming up...

On a more realistic side, it'd be a great signing for a struggling Counties team.

 

[Woldog]

Isn't he like 97 years old now, I'm pretty sure walking frames are against IRB regulations.

 

[Nickdnz]

Well I'll put it to you like this, he's 2 years older then Latham, and 200% better. But yeah, I think he's playing in a mentor/coach position more then a player, but I'd still love to see a comeback as unlikely as it may be.

 

[stormer2010]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Feb 8 2010, 10:46 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well I'll put it to you like this, he's 2 years older then Latham, and 200% better. But yeah, I think he's playing in a mentor/coach position more then a player, but I'd still love to see a comeback as unlikely as it may be.[/b]

Saw Umaga play for the World X vs SA X legends as a warm-up for the Stormers' final, erm, warm-up match and he looked old and tired (after 10 minutes) even though he looked to create openings for his team. They went down 5-29 or something close to that. He should know when to call it a game.

 

[Woldog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Feb 8 2010, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Well I'll put it to you like this, he's 2 years older then Latham, and 200% better. But yeah, I think he's playing in a mentor/coach position more then a player, but I'd still love to see a comeback as unlikely as it may be.[/b]

That's why Latham has scored more tries than him

 

[Nickdnz]

Umm, considering they played different positions throughout their careers that's not really a point, otherwise you could say that Paul Sackey is a better player then Carl Hayman, due to Haymans lack of international tries, and Umaga scored considerably less when he moved to Centre, but captained the All Blacks, and set up many more tries then Latham. And beside that, 37 tries to 40 tries isn't a hell of a difference.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Saw Umaga play for the World X vs SA X legends as a warm-up for the Stormers' final, erm, warm-up match and he looked old and tired (after 10 minutes) even though he looked to create openings for his team. They went down 5-29 or something close to that. He should know when to call it a game.[/b]

Yeah, I see what you mean, but I guess if he feels he can still compete on the rugby field, good on him. I mean, many people though that Os du Randt should have known when to call it a game, and he had a huge comeback. Regardless, your right in saying it's not the norm. Still, I feel he has plenty to offer in a coaching roll, and it's hardly like Counties are going to get much worse with him as a player.

 

[Woldog]

So captaining a team makes you a better player?
And Centers generally set up more tries than fullbacks......

 

[Nickdnz]

You're right, I was just saying that there is quite a bit of talk about Latham returning to Australia, it dosen't seem like Umaga returning to New Zealand is very different. I don't think anyone expect him to make the All Blacks, but I'm sure he can offer some value as both a coach and a player.

 

[William18]

He can offer heaps to Counties They are struggling side and any team wants players with experience. Most ANZ Cup players are young and lack experience. He would generate plenty of hype for Counties.

 

[esoj]

I think he would be great for young counties team. they need all the help they can get and umaga will help them on and off the field. he is also one of the legends in the game would be great seeing him run around in nz one last time.

 

[Dexter Tauvao]

Just putting my two cents in

It would be really awesome if Percy returned for the boks for some reason.
One, he could try and match Latham and Umaga
And two, if people thought the Springboks were kicking too many points, then having three of the worlds best kickers in a 7 man backline would really **** someone off.
Morne at 10
Frans at 12
Percy at 15

It would be a dream.
haha
anyways

I think they are all a little too old
But yeah Os du Randt made an awesome comeback
Perhaps these three could?

 

[stormer2010]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dexter Tauvao @ Feb 10 2010, 06:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Just putting my two cents in

It would be really awesome if Percy returned for the boks for some reason.
One, he could try and match Latham and Umaga
And two, if people thought the Springboks were kicking too many points, then having three of the worlds best kickers in a 7 man backline would really **** someone off.
Morne at 10
Frans at 12
Percy at 15

It would be a dream.
haha
anyways

I think they are all a little too old
But yeah Os du Randt made an awesome comeback
Perhaps these three could?[/b]

LOL, I like the idea ******* people off by winning through kicking. Don't forget Fourie du Preez; he doesn't do it at club level but he kicks well at goal and brilliantly out of hand. Percy is over the hill, though but new Cheetahs fullback Riaan Viljoen has a boot to match Frans Steyn's and is more accurate from hand:

9 du Preez
10 Steyn

12 Steyn

15 Viljoen

with speedy, tall chasers who are good under the high ball at center and wing. I Love it.

 

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (stormer2010 @ Feb 10 2010, 11:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Dexter Tauvao @ Feb 10 2010, 06:11 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Just putting my two cents in

It would be really awesome if Percy returned for the boks for some reason.
One, he could try and match Latham and Umaga
And two, if people thought the Springboks were kicking too many points, then having three of the worlds best kickers in a 7 man backline would really **** someone off.
Morne at 10
Frans at 12
Percy at 15

It would be a dream.
haha
anyways

I think they are all a little too old
But yeah Os du Randt made an awesome comeback
Perhaps these three could?[/b]

LOL, I like the idea ******* people off by winning through kicking. Don't forget Fourie du Preez; he doesn't do it at club level but he kicks well at goal and brilliantly out of hand. Percy is over the hill, though but new Cheetahs fullback Riaan Viljoen has a boot to match Frans Steyn's and is more accurate from hand:

9 du Preez
10 Steyn

12 Steyn

15 Viljoen

with speedy, tall chasers who are good under the high ball at center and wing. I Love it.
[/b][/quote]
Sounds like a team made for the English premiership. Maybe the new Saracens backline next season.

 

[Bullitt]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Woldog @ Feb 8 2010, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Feb 8 2010, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I'll put it to you like this, he's 2 years older then Latham, and 200% better. But yeah, I think he's playing in a mentor/coach position more then a player, but I'd still love to see a comeback as unlikely as it may be.[/b]

That's why Latham has scored more tries than him
[/b][/quote]

Latham is **** and schoolage players make him look dumb.

 

[Nickdnz]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Bullitt @ Feb 11 2010, 07:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Woldog @ Feb 8 2010, 11:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nickdnz @ Feb 8 2010, 06:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Well I'll put it to you like this, he's 2 years older then Latham, and 200% better. But yeah, I think he's playing in a mentor/coach position more then a player, but I'd still love to see a comeback as unlikely as it may be.[/b]

That's why Latham has scored more tries than him
[/b][/quote]

Latham is **** and schoolage players make him look dumb.
[/b][/quote]
Haha, it was all ways a matter of time before Bullit came in and rubbished a Southern Hemisphare legend, however at least it wasn't Umaga.

 

[Olyy]

I think Latham is one of the best fullbacks there is/was
Though admitedly he's not too great at Worcester

 

[Woldog]

Latham won't return to top level rugby, I doubt he will return to S14 rugby, or even club rugby.

 

[jawmalawm24]

I can't be bothered reading all the post but how does it go from Umaga to Latham :? anyway I think it'll be good for Counties but I'm just assuming it'll be a 1 year contract because they're likely to be getting the chop soon if Stever Tew has his way

 

[lucky_number_7]

Umanga may be old but he is still a big strong guy ..if hes lost a bit of pace for the centre he wouldnt be a halfbad no 8

 

[munster]

...no.8 is an awfully physical postion and at his age he could do awful damage to himself...