Tana Umaga's son signs with the NRL (storm)

[RugbyFuture]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/4327060/Young-Umaga-joins-Melbourne-Storm

Cade Umaga has followed in the footsteps of his famous father, by signing a development contract with an Australian rugby league club.

The 16-year-old year 12 pupil at Scots College has agreed terms with the Melbourne Storm and will probably play SG Ball (under-18) football next year.

His father, Tana, was a former Junior Kiwi who joined the Newcastle Knights in 1991 but didn't settle and returned home soon after. He then went on to build a storied career in rugby union, playing 74 tests for the All Blacks including 21 as captain.

But home sickness shouldn't be a problem for the son, with the Storm football department confirming last night that Cade will remain based in Wellington.

As a scholarship holder with the club, he will initially travel to Melbourne for various training camps and be eligible for the SG Ball team. That will include sessions with the full NRL squad, but Umaga would not become based in Australia until he was offered a contract with the club's Toyota Cup (under-20) team.

All the same, Wellington Rugby League general manager Jason Hemson said Cade's signing was a coup for the 13-man code.

"He played in our [under] 17s this year, in the national comp, and got picked in the New Zealand Merit side, which is a New Zealand 17s side which doesn't get to play anybody," Hemson said. "He plays backrow for us and plays for the Randwick club, having previously played for Wainui."

Hemson added that Umaga was a genuinely exciting prospect.

"He's a very good player. Good work ethic, strong, tall, good pedigree obviously."

Additional information was difficult to gather, as attempts were made to shut the story down. Umaga's school first XV coach, Dave Meaclem, spoke to The Dominion Post, but did not want his comments reported until the boy's parents had given the all-clear.

"I'd just be careful what you did. I know that Rochelle and Tana are pretty protective of him," he said.

Tana Umaga's management made it clear that neither he nor Cade would speak about the signing.

His name might set him apart for now, but Cade Umaga is just one of many Wellington age-group players believed to have agreed to terms with NRL clubs.

Nineteen was Hemson's latest estimate, including NZ Secondary Schools' rugby union flanker Tupou Sopoaga. The younger brother of Wellington and Highlanders first-five-eighth, Lima Sopoaga, Tupou will join the Canterbury Bulldogs.

 

[Nusadan]

My son would be interested in hearing about this...he's also on a scholarship (or meant to be!) with Storm...

 

[Hugh Jarse]

........Nineteen was Hemson's latest estimate, including NZ Secondary Schools' rugby union flanker Tupou Sopoaga. The younger brother of Wellington and Highlanders first-five-eighth, Lima Sopoaga, Tupou will join the Canterbury Bulldogs.

Hmm. Sopoaga jnr was the MOM in the recent Schoolboys Test. Seemed quite a capable lad.

If he comes over here to play DogFarker ball, there is hope we may be able to pinch him for the Wobs when he changes code.
I don't think School boy rep honours disqualifies a player from later international representation for another country.

 

[chief]

Who cares.... chuck it to the everything else section. I don't come on this forum to read about League, no matter whose son it is

 

[Bullrush]

Who cares.... chuck it to the everything else section. I don't come on this forum to read about League, no matter whose son it is

Then why click on it.....didn't the name of the thread and the NRL insignia kinda give you some sort of hint of what the this topic was?

 

[Richo]

My son would be interested in hearing about this...he's also on a scholarship (or meant to be!) with Storm...

That's great, mate. You must be a damn proud dad!

 

[en_force_er]

Congrats to Tana and Nusadan's sons. May they be better union players in the future for the experience!

 

[Nusadan]

Thanks, but getting info from the Storm at the moment is like drawing a hen's tooth...their attention has been diverted away from the juniors for the best part of this year for obvious reasons and am having issues with them in meeting their contractual obligations at this point in time...hope Umanga doesn't have the same problems!

 

[Bullrush]

Thanks, but getting info from the Storm at the moment is like drawing a hen's tooth...their attention has been diverted away from the juniors for the best part of this year for obvious reasons and am having issues with them in meeting their contractual obligations at this point in time...hope Umanga doesn't have the same problems!

How many contracts do you have with them

 

[Epi]

I think this shows that to the players - footy is footy. If he develops and wants to join the Blues or chiefs in a couple of years then good on him.