All Blacks legend Tana Umaga has refused to rule out coaching Moana Pasifika for their potential 2022 Super Rugby debut.
Umaga has been named Moana Pasifika coach for a clash against the Māori All Blacks in Hamilton on December 5.
When pressed on whether he had the ambition to coach the Pacific side in 2022, the Hurricanes legend coyly declared he was happy with life as Blues assistant coach, after signing a one-year extension earlier this year.
"Those things will play out in due course around what happens in 2022,” Umaga says. “I'm contracted to the Blues for another year and I'm very happy in the role I'm in.
"Who knows what will happen after that, but right now, I'm just concentrating on where I am and what I'm involved in."
Umaga is solely focussed on preparing his side for the one-off contest and showcasing the teams’ respective cultures.
"It's an exciting and proud moment for me to be involved in this game and what it represents. From a personal level, I'm diving deeper into and learning more about my Samoan culture.
"I had a brother who played for Manu Samoa and I know how proud my parents were when he represented them. Now I have the opportunity to further that, and give back to my heritage that my family and I represent now.”
The former Māori assistant coach sees this as a special opportunity for players to represent their heritage, and both Umaga and counterpart Clayton McMillan agree putting the players' wishes first is important for this clash.
One player that will get his first opportunity to represent his Pacific roots for the first time is Highlander's five-eighth Josh Ioane, who played three matches for the Māori in 2018.
"It was a very important decision for him,” says Umaga. “He talked to his family and the NZ Māori coaches, and in the end, we left it up for him.
"It was great to have a discussion with Clayton McMillan about putting the players' wishes to the forefront, as this whole weekend is about celebrating our culture.
"I know Josh is very proud of his Māori culture, but this could be his only opportunity to represent his Samoan side that he has in him, so that was just us working together to get the players' wishes."
Join us for live updates of Moana Pasifika v NZ Māori on December 5.
