As the All Blacks embrace a new era under Dave Rennie, Tana Umaga, a revered figure in rugby and the team's newly appointed defence coach, has expressed his commitment to restoring the team's illustrious reputation. Umaga, who captained the All Blacks more than 20 times, returns to the fold after two decades, following the departure of Scott Robertson in January. With a rich history as a player and now as a coach, Umaga is poised to bring his deep understanding and strategic acumen to Rennie's team.
Umaga's enthusiasm for his new role is palpable. He articulates a vision not just of strategy and defense, but of heritage and legacy. "Rens is huge and every team he’s been a part of, what I’ve heard and what you’ve seen about how they perform, all of them talk around how great he is at making players feel like they’re part of history – they’re not just there on the ride," Umaga shared on Sky Sport NZ's The Breakdown show.
"Getting that engagement is important, understanding who you are and what you represent is important, but also making sure that this is my time to leave a bit of yourself and be a part of that legacy."
Umaga also highlighted the influence of Ardie Savea, both on and off the field. Having worked closely with Savea at Moana Pasifika during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Umaga understands the unique qualities Savea brings to the team. "With Ards especially, he’s such an empathetic person, he feels what the players are feeling and he’s a good voice for the players," he noted. This deep empathy and understanding are seen as crucial for integrating young players into the team's culture and ethos.
The path ahead for the All Blacks is lined with formidable challenges, including upcoming matches against France, Italy, and Ireland in the Nations Championship, followed by a demanding tour in South Africa for The Greatest Rivalry series. While the ultimate aim is the Rugby World Cup, Umaga is aware of the high expectations within New Zealand, where every test is a must-win.
"As a fan of the All Blacks, we’ve probably lost a bit of our shine. I want to start rubbing that jersey a bit and bring the shine back to it."
With such a clear mission, Umaga and Rennie are not just focusing on immediate victories but are nurturing a resilient and proud team culture. Their leadership promises a blend of respect for the team's storied past and a bold vision for its future, aiming to make the All Blacks feared and revered in the rugby world once again.
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As the All Blacks embrace a new era under Dave Rennie, Tana Umaga, a revered figure in rugby and the team's newly appointed defence coach, has expressed his commitment to restoring the team's illustrious reputation. Umaga, who captained the All Blacks more than 20 times, returns to the fold after two decades, following the departure of Scott Robertson in January. With a rich history as a player and now as a coach, Umaga is poised to bring his deep understanding and strategic acumen to Rennie's team.
Umaga's enthusiasm for his new role is palpable. He articulates a vision not just of strategy and defense, but of heritage and legacy. "Rens is huge and every team he’s been a part of, what I’ve heard and what you’ve seen about how they perform, all of them talk around how great he is at making players feel like they’re part of history – they’re not just there on the ride," Umaga shared on Sky Sport NZ's The Breakdown show.
"Getting that engagement is important, understanding who you are and what you represent is important, but also making sure that this is my time to leave a bit of yourself and be a part of that legacy."
Umaga also highlighted the influence of Ardie Savea, both on and off the field. Having worked closely with Savea at Moana Pasifika during the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific campaign, Umaga understands the unique qualities Savea brings to the team. "With Ards especially, he’s such an empathetic person, he feels what the players are feeling and he’s a good voice for the players," he noted. This deep empathy and understanding are seen as crucial for integrating young players into the team's culture and ethos.
The path ahead for the All Blacks is lined with formidable challenges, including upcoming matches against France, Italy, and Ireland in the Nations Championship, followed by a demanding tour in South Africa for The Greatest Rivalry series. While the ultimate aim is the Rugby World Cup, Umaga is aware of the high expectations within New Zealand, where every test is a must-win.
"As a fan of the All Blacks, we’ve probably lost a bit of our shine. I want to start rubbing that jersey a bit and bring the shine back to it."
With such a clear mission, Umaga and Rennie are not just focusing on immediate victories but are nurturing a resilient and proud team culture. Their leadership promises a blend of respect for the team's storied past and a bold vision for its future, aiming to make the All Blacks feared and revered in the rugby world once again.