FORMER ALL BLACK CAPTAIN TANA UMAGA TO LEAD MOANA PASIFIKA AS HEAD COACH
Fa’alogo Tana Umaga appointed as Head Coach for Moana Pasifika (Photo: Moana Pasifika)
Moana Pasifika, the Pacific Island rugby franchise, has announced the appointment of Fa’alogo Tana Umaga ONZM (Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit For a distinguished regional or national role in any field) as its new Head Coach. With an illustrious career as both a player and coach, Umaga brings a wealth of experience and a respected reputation to the team. Set to commence his role in the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, Umaga aims to build upon the foundation established by former Head Coach Aaron Mauger.
Umaga previously coached Moana Pasifika during their inaugural match against the Māori All Blacks in 2020. Expressing his excitement about the opportunity, Umaga stated, "I’ve always held a special place for Moana Pasifika since its inception, and I’m deeply honored for this opportunity to take up the reins again as Head Coach." Having witnessed the team's potential from their debut game, Umaga is eager to guide their progress in the upcoming 2024 season.
La’auli Savae Sir Michael Jones, the Chair of Moana Pasifika, expressed delight at Umaga's appointment. He highlighted Umaga's significance as the first All Black Captain of Pasifika descent and his extensive coaching experience at international and Super Rugby levels. As the Defence Coach of Manu Samoa, Umaga also maintains direct connections with the Pacific home nations, aligning with Moana Pasifika's mission to provide high-performance pathways for players representing Pacific Island nations.
Fa’alogo Tana Umaga was also appointed as the Defence Coach for the Manu Samoa (Photo: Manu Samoa)
Jones further emphasized that Umaga embodies the spirit and aspirations of Moana Pasifika. The coach's ability to mentor and develop players on and off the field is seen as an invaluable asset for the program. Moana Pasifika has high hopes for the future under Umaga's guidance and influence.
Born to Samoan parents and hailing from Wainuiomata, Tana Umaga began his rugby journey in Petone, Wellington. He went on to make 122 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes, having been selected for the team just one year after joining them. Umaga also had a remarkable international career, earning 74 test caps as an All Black over eight years. Notably, he was the first person of Pacific Island descent to captain the All Blacks, leading the team 22 times.
Transitioning to coaching, Umaga achieved success in France with Toulon, winning promotion to the 1st Division Competition. He then returned to New Zealand to coach Counties Manukau, leading them to victory in the Championship Division and securing promotion to the Premiership. Additionally, Umaga guided Counties Manukau to their first-ever Ranfurly Shield win. From 2016 to 2018, he served as the Head Coach of The Blues and continued as the team's Defense Coach until 2021. Umaga has also gained coaching experience on the international stage, including stints with the New Zealand U20's in 2015 and his current role as a coach for Manu Samoa since 2021.
Moana Pasifika's appointment of Tana Umaga as Head Coach signals an exciting new chapter for the team. With his extensive background as a player and a coach, Umaga brings a wealth of knowledge, experience, and mana to the role. His deep connection to Pacific Island rugby and his commitment to developing players align with Moana Pasifika's vision of nurturing talent and providing a platform for players to represent their Pacific Island nations. As the team prepares for the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition, fans eagerly anticipate the continued growth and success under Tana Umaga's guidance.
