In a serious coup for Moana Pasifika, the Tremendous Rugby Pacific outfit has added considered one of New Zealand rugby’s all-time greats to its employees.

Moana Pasifika confirmed on Sunday that former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga would be the new head coach of the franchise on a three-year deal.

Umaga will take cost subsequent 12 months of the mixed Pacific Island facet, which is predicated in Auckland and contains gamers of Samoan, Tongan and Prepare dinner Island heritage.

He’ll exchange his former Take a look at backline companion Aaron Mauger, who oversaw Moana’s troublesome first two seasons within the competitors and introduced his resignation earlier than the top of this 12 months’s marketing campaign.

The 50-year-old Umaga coached Moana of their inaugural match in opposition to the Maori All Blacks in 2020, two years earlier than they joined Tremendous Rugby Pacific as considered one of two new groups, alongside Fijian Drua.

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“I’ve at all times held a particular place for Moana Pasifika since its inception, and I’m deeply honoured for this chance,” mentioned Umaga, who was the primary participant of Pacific descent to captain the All Blacks when he took cost underneath coach Graham Henry in 2004.

“From their first recreation, Moana Pasifika have proven aptitude and talent to contest with the calibre groups of the Tremendous Rugby Pacific competitors. I’m excited to progress their journey.”

Umaga faces a steep problem to convey success to a workforce who’ve completed final within the 12-team competitors in every of their first two seasons. They’ve received simply three of their 28 competitors video games.

Born to Samoan dad and mom, Umaga led New Zealand in 22 of his 74 Checks.

His teaching profession started at French membership Toulon and he was the Blues head coach in Tremendous Rugby from 2016 to 2018, earlier than persevering with as their defence coach.

.@MoanaPasifika_ announce Fa’alogo Tana Umaga ONZM because the membership’s new head coach for the subsequent #SuperRugbyPacific season 📝 pic.twitter.com/CnyTeC7Dii

— Tremendous Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) July 9, 2023

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Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Photos