Tana Umaga fielding 'a lot of interest' as Savea takes Moana to new heights

Moana Pasifika head coach Tana Umaga says there are plenty of people around the rugby world watching his side find their feet, and plenty wanting a piece of the action.

The Super Rugby Pacific newcomers have entered the playoff race for the first time since joining the competition in 2022, despite 2025 being the most competitive season in years and featuring two fewer playoff spots.

That success has come from the growth and recruitment of some new Pasifika stars like Miracle Fai’ilagi and Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, but also the duo’s back row partner, Ardie Savea.

The All Blacks star inspired Moana Pasifika to victory over the Blues this past weekend, in a performance that various commentators and pundits have labelled the best individual showing in Super Rugby history.

It’s the highest of praise considering the greats of the game who have graced a Super Rugby field: Schalk Burger, Richie McCaw, John Eales, to name a few.

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“I think I’ve run out of words to describe how Ardie’s been playing for us this year. He just amazes us all the time. He’s so amazing that it’s just normal,” Umaga told SportNation‘s Beaver and Guy.

“We see it at trainings, we watch it in terms of his preparation, so when it comes out on the weekend, probably just because not everyone else sees it as much as us, it’s just normal.

“We’re just getting used to the kicking game! That’s what we take in the most. Obviously he does no kicking throughout the week, and he pulls off a spiral punt that goes 50 metres.

“When we questioned if he’s been working on it, what he’s been doing, Stephen Jones says ‘I’ve been helping him with his kick mechanics’ and we’re all laughing, we’re all trying to take ownership of the things that he’s doing.

“And then when you ask him, he just goes ‘you’ve just got to back yourself, I think sometimes, and I ‘ve seen it done a couple of times so I just go out there’. Fake it until you make it, I think, is what he keeps talking about.

“But like I said, there’s just not enough words to describe the kind of form he’s in, the way he’s playing, what he’s doing for us on and off the field. It’s just a true testament to the purpose and how driven he is to do well for not just himself, our team, but as people as well.”

Back at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, when Umaga was in camp with Manu Samoa, the assistant coach joked about getting in the ears of players with the idea of recruiting them. Big names like Lima Sopoaga, Charlie Faumuina, Steven Luatua and Ben Lam were all involved in that campaign.

With Savea leading the way in believing in the Moana Pasifika vision and potential, Umaga says there’s a real potential of others following suit.

“Look, there’s a lot of interest, I won’t lie. But we’re still a small team, so I don’t know if we can afford them all!”