The Blues coaching group will welcome back Tana Umaga to bolster the ranks for next year’s 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season. 

Umaga took a year away from his coaching role to work with his wife on their business producing natural health supplements, although he retained his duties as Assistant Coach with Lakapi Samoa. 

The former All Black captain will move into a new role at the club as a Coaching Consultant, establishing development programmes for the Blues assistant coaches, as well as testing the Head Coach and Forward Coach on team planning, strategy and delivery. 

Umaga will work closely on planning and delivery around the team culture and environment, including the overall team purpose and weekly mindset strategies. 

He will analyse and assess individual player development while observing and reviewing game plans and performances. 

“Tana has retained his contact with the club and we have always said that our door will remain open to him,” said Blues CEO, Andrew Hore. 

“He is in a position now and has the want to re-join our group, which links him to the coaches he enjoys a close relationship with. 

“That said, Tana has a different role with the club and while he will work closely with many aspects of the team and club, he will also take a helicopter role to critically analyse key aspects of team performance. 

“In that respect he will work directly with our coaching group and team as well as our General Manager of Rugby, Josh Blackie. 

Umaga said he was excited to return to the Blues. 

“I’ve never lost the interest or desire to remain in coaching and being part of the Blues again,” said Umaga. “I have enjoyed the challenge with our business but have the opportunity to return to rugby, as well as retain my other business interests. 

“Part of the role around the team environment and culture is something that is dear to me and I enjoy, while the coach and player development work and assessment is a new challenge, which I look forward to.” 

His role will run for seven months starting on 1 December.