All Blacks great Tana Umaga to join Dave Rennie’s coaching group – report

Dave Rennie is expected to include an All Blacks great in his coaching group, as the team ushers in a new era ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup. 1News understands New Zealand Rugby could soon confirm the appointment of Tana Umaga as an assistant coach.

New Zealand broadcaster Scotty Stevenson revealed on Wednesday that Umaga, who is the current head coach of Super Rugby Pacific side Moana Pasifika, could be announced as a member of the All Blacks management group “in the coming days.”

1News has reported that Jason Ryan may be “the one survivor” from Scott Robertson’s time in charge, and Taranaki head coach Neil Barnes is another contender to join Dave Rennie at the All Blacks.

Rennie coached Umaga when the pair were both with Wellington in the early 2000s. Umaga would go on to captain the All Blacks in more than 20 Tests from 2004 to 2005, famously leading the team during the first Kapa o Pango haka during that period.

Umaga has enjoyed coaching roles with Samoa, the New Zealand Under-20s, Counties Manukau, the Blues and now Moana Pasifika. The 52-year-old has been with Moana for a few seasons, and is now in the final year of his contract with the club.

Rennie was unveiled last week as the next All Blacks head coach, tasked with leading the team through to Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. That announcement came almost 50 days after NZR parted ways with Scott Robertson.

“Coaching the All Blacks is an incredible honour,” Rennie explained.

“I’m extremely proud to have been entrusted with this role and understand the expectations that come with it.

“I’m really clear on the way I want the All Blacks to play, and I look forward to working with the players, management team, and the rugby community. We have a lot of talent here, and we will be working extremely hard to make the country proud.”

NZR Chair David Kirk said: “On behalf of the Board, I’d like to congratulate Dave on his appointment as All Blacks Head Coach.

“He is a world-class coach who has consistently shown he can build strong performance environments and win.

“Dave understands what it means to coach the All Blacks and play a style of rugby that reflects who we are as New Zealanders. He has a deep understanding of rugby in New Zealand and the role the All Blacks play in shaping our national identity and bringing communities together.”