Umaga

[DPK]

On Friday we heard via Toulon's Ross Skeate that coach Tana Umaga would be making a return to the field for their game against Bourgoin following a nasty hip injury to wing Chris Loamanu.

The 36 year old All Black legend laced up his boots once again and got out there, playing on the wing in the closely contested 13-9 victory for Toulon at the Stade Pierre Rajon. Argentina's Felipe Contepomi scored the only try of the match.

Umaga played over 70 minutes before leaving the field to a warm reception from the crowd. In that time, he showed some of the ferocity that made him a feared opponent as he put big hits in on two of the Bourgoin players, which you can see here on RD now.

The former All Black captain recently signalled his intent to leave Toulon and return to life in New Zealand after he signed with Counties-Manakau in a similar player/coach role. He intends to pursue a coaching career, so perhaps one day soon we'll see him in charge of the AB's.

For now though, Umaga has been added to the squad due to the injury crisis. He's said himself that he's still keeping fit, so will no doubt make more of an impact in the weeks to come.

From RugbyDump.

When is this guy going to stop? At 36, I think this is a pretty awesome effort.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lhZpI76fuM&feature=player_embedded

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

Still a scary looking bugger.

They could have died.

 

[RugbyReg]

both illegal, in true fasion.

 

[MajorlyRagerly]

First was in the air, but what was wrong with the second?

It's not tiddlywinks.

 

[cyclopath]

First was in the air, but what was wrong with the second?

It's not tiddlywinks.

Well, he didn't have the ball, but that's hardly Tana's fault if the guy shat himself and dropped it just as he was about to get skewered! Great hit!

 

[Reddy!]

that second one would have felt like a train hitting you. good stuff umaga. Rebels are definitely going to sign him up :fishing

 

[Scarfman]

He was always a brilliant tackler, although about 50% of his hits could be penalised.

 

[Pfitzy]

Uts not tuddlywunks cuz!

I like him as a player, even though he always looks like the Cowardly Lion from the original Wizard of Oz movie. But I just figured out I like French commentary better.

 

[Scarfman]

A lot of his tackles involved the head of the attacking player. He tackles very upright, so his shoulder often ends up in people's faces. Impressive, though, that his body can handle it.