Umaga extends contract with Blues

Former All Black captain Tana Umaga has signed a contract extension with the Blues which will keep him at the franchise until the conclusion of the 2021 season.

The 47 year old Umaga will continue to serve as defence coach, which has been his position for the last two seasons.

“I enjoy my role at the Blues and I’m really pleased to carry on next year. This means I am aligned with the other coaches and I can continue to work with this maturing playing squad,” he said.

“We have a strong coaching group and we enjoy feeding off each other as well as the benefit of some open and honest discussions about our game plans.”

Blues head coach Leon McDonald was also upbeat about the development:

“I am thrilled that Tana will be staying with us. He has done a superb job in the development of this team as a defensive unit,” he said.

“Defence is the cornerstone of our success, not just with the alignment and communication, but our goal-line scramble defence was outstanding in terms of our system and strength of will.

“A big part of that was the character and sense of purpose that Tana has played a major part in developing with this squad.”