Tana Umaga, the legendary All Blacks player, expressed his dedication to nurturing rugby talent in the Pacific Islands ahead of Moana Pasifika's inaugural match in Tonga this weekend.
As the coach of Moana Pasifika, based in Auckland, Umaga is gearing up his team to face the Otago Highlanders in Nuku'alofa, marking a historic moment for Super Rugby in Tonga, following Samoa's hosting of its first match last year.
Umaga, who hails from Wellington with Samoan heritage, has infused his squad with 12 players from Tonga for their debut match on the Pacific island.
Speaking to reporters in Nuku'alofa, Umaga expressed his enthusiasm for playing in one of their ancestral homelands and emphasized the importance of delivering a strong performance.
"I'm passionate about fostering the growth of rugby among our Pacific Island communities," Umaga stated. "My aim is to inspire young players to pursue professional rugby careers by sharing my experiences and knowledge with them."
With 74 Tests under his belt for the All Blacks, Umaga brings a wealth of expertise to Moana Pasifika as they seek to climb the Super Rugby standings. Despite a recent loss to Fijian Drua, the team is determined to bounce back, currently sitting ninth in the table.
Captain Sione Havili Talitui, a Tongan international, highlighted the importance of learning from their previous match against the Drua and improving their performance against the Highlanders.
"We've analysed our game against the Drua and identified areas for improvement," Talitui remarked. "We need to elevate our game against the Highlanders and ensure we deliver a better performance."
With the Highlanders narrowly ahead in the standings, Moana Pasifika is gearing up for a competitive showdown in front of an enthusiastic crowd, including around 20 of Talitui's family and friends.
