The Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise announced on Sunday the appointment of former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga as a three-year manager. “Moana Pasifika has always held an important place in my heart since its creation,” said the man who was the first Samoan descendant to become New Zealand captain in 2004. “I am deeply honored by this opportunity”.
A young franchise created in 2020, Moana Pasifika joined Super Rugby in the 2022 edition. Although based in Auckland (New Zealand), she represents the Pacific Islands. A majority of players in the squad come from Samoa, Tonga and Fiji, but there are also New Zealanders and Australians in the squad.
After a three-year experience in Toulon between 2007 and 2010, Umaga returned to train in his native country, first at Counties Manukau then as a manager with the Blues, in Super Rugby, between 2016 and 2018. With Moana Pasifika , Tana Umaga will have the challenge of doing better than her predecessor and former teammate Aaron Mauger. The franchise has finished 12th and last in the standings in the last two editions of Super Rugby.
