Tana Umaga’s Chiefs all set to take on Brumbies
Tana Umaga the former All Black captain is all ready to take the honor of being the eldest player in Super Rugby on Saturday’s fixture. The 37 year old All Black sensation has been named in the Chiefs’ squad which will be facing Brumbies this weekend.
In a smooth match of the opening round of the first Super 15 season, a player who was a star of the original Super 12 campaign will be appearing for Chiefs as a midfield backbone.
Last time Umaga played in Super Rugby, it was four years ago and now he has been given the number 12 jersey. He is all ready for the opener in Canberra and is joined by Dwayne Sweeney on the outside centre.
Ian Foster the coach for Chiefs believes it is one of the good decisions the club has made in a while. It took time to think out the combination that Chiefs would be taking to the field against Brumbies. Ian Foster believes that the blend of Jackson Willison,
Tana Umaga, Sweeney and Save Tokula will work out to be efficient like it did in preseason matches but without Umaga.
Foster said, “But Tana has been out of Super Rugby for a time and I believe the finest way to get spot on value out of him in this crusade is to give him that early taste of it. He's performed well. He's earned the right and I know he's looking forward to
it.”
Umaga has earned 74 caps in his test career and out of them 24 were with his position as a skipper. He was the part of the very first match played in super Rugby in 1996. He has appeared for Hurricanes since the tournament was Super 12. He has played 122
matches for Hurricanes till 2007 and moved to European league rugby then. Last year he returned from France to become the assistant/player coach for Counties Manukau.
For Foster it was an important development and a significant alteration for someone who comes back to Super Rugby after such a long break. Umaga was confident though that he can make it through and was looking good in training sessions.
Foster added, “Psychologically he's strong, he's very qualified and he's been able to figure that out on his own. That's what the preseason is about, to try to give guys a flavor as early as we can. He'll be in good form.”
Stiveni Sivivatu will be playing in starting lineup this season. He has been sidelined in the numerous matches last year and will get his share with the ball this season. Sivivatu just recovered from knee and shoulder injuries from last year. Fans witnessed
Sivivatu getting his knees iced after the preseason match against Blues. He explained it was just a precautionary move.
Foster explained, “We're pleased he's back and he can't wait to get on the field. He's a very passionate youngster.”
Sivivatu will be facing ex – Waikatu player, the 22 year old Fiji born Henry Speight. Speight will be making his debut in Super Rugby for the opposing side Brumbies.
Other than Umaga, the first timers for Chiefs are lock Hayden Triggs, number eight Lee, loose forward Scott Waldrom and Dan Perrin. Lee will be making his deut for Super Rugby as well and is welcomed by Foster to professional rugby. Triggs, Perrin and Wladrom
have been traded from Highlanders, Crusaders and Hurricanes respectively. All three will be on bench for the first half.
Foster seems content with these new developments and was satisfied with the squad when the players showed up training camp. He added, “We're more than contented. Like everybody, we're anxiously energized about starting.”
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