Moana Pasifika confirm appointment of All Black legend as new head coach

Former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga will return to Super Rugby’s coaching ranks after agreeing to take over as head coach of Moana Pasifika from the 2024 season onwards.

Umaga, who previously coached the Blues from 2016 to 2018, will take over the coaching reins from former All Blacks team-mate Aaron Mauger, who stepped down from his position at the end of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Joins on a long-term contract

According to a press statement on Moana Pasifika‘s official website, Umaga has agreed terms on a three-year deal with the Pacific Islanders, who finished at the bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific table for the second successive year.

“Moana Pasifika has appointed Fa’alogo Tana Umaga ONZM as its new head coach,” read the statement. “Umaga, who has a wealth of experience as a player and a coach and has garnered huge respect across the rugby landscape for his contribution to All Black rugby and the global game, will commence the 2024 DHL Super Rugby Pacific competition on a three-year contract, building on the foundation put in place by former head coach Aaron Mauger.”

Umaga is no stranger to the Moana Pasifika set-up as he coached them during their one-off encounter against the Maori All Blacks in 2020. He is looking forward to the challenge of taking Moana to greater heights.

“I’ve always held a special place for Moana Pasifika since its inception, and I’m deeply honoured for this opportunity to take up the reins again as head coach, he said.

“From their first game, Moana Pasifika have shown flair and ability to contest with the calibre teams of the Super Rugby Pacific competition. I’m excited to progress their journey in 2024.”

Moana Pasifika chairman and former All Blacks back-row Sir Michael Jones is happy that Umaga has accepted the job as Moana’s new head coach and is excited by the appointment.

“We are delighted to appoint Tana Umaga as head coach, who as the first All Black captain of Pasifika descent and a significant history of coaching both at international and Super Rugby level, brings a wealth of experience and mana to the role,” he said.

“Tana also provides direct connections to our Pacific home nations given his current coaching role with Manu Samoa, which supports the ambition of Moana Pasifika to provide high-performance pathways for players who want to represent Pacific Island nations.

“Tana is the embodiment of Moana Pasifika and all that we stand for, our dreams and aspirations.

“His ability to mentor and develop his charges on and off the field is an invaluable asset for our programme, we are extremely excited for what the future holds for Moana Pasifika under Tana’s guidance and influence.”

Umaga hails from Wainuiomata in Wellington, New Zealand and was born there to Samoan parents.

The 50-year-old is All Black number 961 and started his playing career in Petone, Wellington, before going on to make 122 appearances for the Hurricanes at Super Rugby level.

He made his All Blacks debut against Fiji in 1997, after just one year with the Hurricanes. Umaga won 74 test caps in eight years and in 2004, became the first person of Pacific Island descent to captain the All Blacks, leading them 22 times.

Vast coaching experience

He began his coaching career at Toulon in France, winning promotion to the Top 14 competition in 2007. He returned to New Zealand to coach Counties Manukau winning the Championship Division and promotion to the Premiership, and also winning the Ranfurly Shield for the first time.

After his three-year stint as Blues head coach, Umaga stepped down from that position and served as the Auckland-based outfit’s defence coach until 2021.

He also has international assistant coaching experience, which includes a stint with New Zealand U20 side in 2015, and currently with Manu Samoa since 2021.

READ MORE: Blues turn to ex-Scotland and Fiji boss to take over their coaching reins