Umaga to move into management

[Burgs]

I'm tipping Toulon will be back in the Super 14 by the end of next season!!!

Umaga to move into management

From correspondents in Paris
May 29, 2007

FRENCH second division side Toulon is set to name former New Zealand skipper Tana Umaga as its general manager on a two-year contract, L'Equipe sports daily reported.

The recently-retired centre played seven games for the Mediterranean port side last season pocketing $A575,000 and helping the team win all seven.

Now ambitious club owner Mourad Boudjellal wants him back as general manager to mastermind the club's drive to get back into the French Super-14 top flight and an announcement is expected on Thursday, the paper said.

Toulon has already announced that for next season it has signed up All Blacks prop Anton Oliver and former fly half Andrew Mehrtens as well as Australia scrum half and skipper George Gregan.

L'Equipe said that the 34-year-old Umaga was the inspiration behind these signings ahead of his arrival and that he was next targeting South African lock Victor Matfield.

Toulon narrowly failed to clinch promotion to the top division this year and Australian coach Tim Lane is believed to be on his way out to take over either as Italy national team coach after the World Cup or with the struggling Queensland Reds in the southern hemisphere Super-14.

Agence France-Presse

[Terri]

Seriously, what has happened to the loyalty in these competitions?
A New Zealand player moving to FRENCH management?
Ok sure he played a few game for them once, but he's a New Zealander - why not bloody stick with NZ??

[Burgs]

"Show me the money"....

Although in Tana's case I think he has pretty much paid his dues for his sport and I'm sure he will return to his roots before too long.

[Terri]

Pfft money!
Hope he does go back!

[Thequeerone]

Can he read French contracts ?

[Burgs]

He has a cunning plannn

[AndyS]

It's probably as simple as, they asked. He does it over there, it is a jumpstart into a similar role when he returns, probably several years ahead of doing it through all the levels in NZ rugby

[hopep]

Yep Andy, looks like hes starting his role as a journyman coach/manager.

He will go back to NZ when hes learnt a fair bit, he always played like a cunning bastard! Good on him

[The EnForcer]

I have the utmost respect for Umaga and what he has done for NZ Rugby as well as international rugby. I have no problem with him doing whatever he likes, as Burgs says, he's "paid his dues". I'm sure he will be back in southern hemisphere rugby in the future though.

He deserves being regarded as a legend in the sport of Rugby Union!!!!

[The Lone Hydrangea]

I have the utmost respect for Umaga and what he has done for NZ Rugby as well as international rugby. I have no problem with him doing whatever he likes, as Burgs says, he's "paid his dues". I'm sure he will be back in southern hemisphere rugby in the future though.

He deserves being regarded as a legend in the sport of Rugby Union!!!!

Could not said it better myself. Umaga is a quality human being.

[travelling_gerry]

hear hear.....my opinion of Tana rose in the thousands the night of our first win at Subi....how he spoke of the Froce that night was humbling..

[frontrow]

Genuinely top guy, and excellent rugby player...