Tana Umaga named assistant coach of Maori All Blacks
Wednesday 14 September 2016 08:40, UK
Tana Umaga has been appointed assistant coach of the Maori All Blacks for their end of season tour that will take them to the United States, Ireland and England.
The 43-year-old former All Blacks skipper will join coach Colin Cooper who brings along prop Carl Hoeft as an assistant forwards coach.
During his illustrious career, Umaga played 74 Tests - 21 as captain - and included a clean sweep of victories over the British and Irish Lions in 2005.
Umaga currently coaches Super Rugby's Auckland Blues and Cooper said in a statement: "I'm delighted to have Tana and Carl join us.
"Their mix of specific coaching skills and insight as former players adds huge value to the work we are doing around this team.
"Tana brings a certain mana to our team. He understands the professional rugby environment well and brings a strong high performance approach to his work."
The Maori All Blacks are made up of players from New Zealand's indigenous Maori people.
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They will face the United States in Chicago on November 4, Munster in Limerick seven days later, before concluding their travels with a fixture against Harlequins at Twickenham's Stoop on November 16.
