Competitive Nature

“He is an All Black legend, regarded as an inspirational skipper within New Zealand’s proud Test rugby union history,” Stathi Paxinos writes for The Age. “And now at the age of 37, Tana Umaga has made a comeback to top-line rugby union lining up for the Chiefs against the Melbourne Rebels. Umaga is back on the scene for the first time since 27, when he finished his 122-game career for the Hurricanes and headed to French club Toulon to start a coaching career. Chiefs skipper Mils Muliaina is an admirer and the 3-year-old is unequivocal when asked if he could see himself still playing at the age of his former All Blacks captain, who will turn 38 in May. “Absolutely not,” the All Blacks full-back said. Muliaina said influence of Umaga, who played his first Super rugby game in 1996, is both on and off the field. “His whole professional attitude and competitive nature has just been outstanding, so for us, the guys around him are feeding off his experience and listening to the things he has to say,” Muliaina said.