All Blacks great Tana Umaga left ‘speechless’ by opportunity to join Dave Rennie’s coaching staff
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
New All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga was left a “little bit speechless” as he faced questions about his appointment under head coach Dave Rennie.
“In terms of the opportunity that's been given to me. Proud Is an understatement really,” Umaga said.
“To be back part of a team that holds a special place for me and my family… to get back in there is unbelievable really.”
Jason Ryan (forwards/mauls and scrums) has been retained from Scott Robertson’s staff, with Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Bryn Evans losing their jobs. Ellison will become the Māori All Blacks coach.
Umaga played 74 tests for the All Blacks as a centre and winger between 1997 and 2005 and was captain on 21 occasions, overseeing 18 wins.
He said he only signed his contract on Monday night at the dinner table.
“I had to get my daughter to help me with this technology. I had my phone, and it's a DocuSign thing.
“I was wondering why my finger wasn't really doing the job in signing my signature, so she told me to use my iPad.
“I thought, ‘Of course, why don't I just use my iPad with a pen and everything’.”
Umaga was speaking after taking Moana Pasifika training on Tuesday.
He was still wearing the Super Rugby Pacific’s team branding.
The 52-year-old said there was a “big job ahead” with the All Blacks’ showing patchy form in 2024 and 2025 under Robertson and the 2027 Rugby World Cup fast approaching.
“You can't get away from that,” he said.
“I've been fortunate enough to actually captain this side and that was a big job.
“I had to understand that, then also understand what comes with that. The sacrifices that not just yourself, but your family have to make.
“I'll go in there with eyes wide open and understanding those pressures.
“I'm fortunate that I've felt that pressure before and, understanding that, I know what I'm getting myself into and I'm looking forward to the challenge.”
Umaga said conversations with Rennie about the All Blacks had been “short” to this point because they still had other jobs to finish before their new roles in June.
Rennie is starting the All Blacks job when his contract with Kobe Steelers in Japan ends in June.
Umaga said he was asked if he was interested in applying via his manager.
“I think my name was put into a hat, so that's me putting my hand up. Then from that, I think Dave just had his pick of who he wanted to go in with.
“I was fortunate to get a call.”
Umaga has been Moana Pasifika coach since 2022 and said “he still loves this team”.
They have lost five in a row to leave them bottom of Super Rugby Pacific after six rounds.
Moana Pasifika host the also-struggling Highlanders at North Harbour Stadium on Friday night.
The All Blacks’ first test under their new coaches is against France at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch in July.