Tana Umaga to Retire

[James]

This is a bit of shock

All Black captain Tana Umaga will sign off from international rugby tomorrow - his mind and body unable to endure two more seasons until the next World Cup.

Will be interesting to see who comes in as captain.

 

[superkingdave]

wonder how much the controversy vis a vis O'Driscoll impacted on this decision

 

[James]

It does say in the article:

The lingering fallout from the tackle on Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll, relentless media criticism in Britain and death threats in Ireland, all strengthened Umaga's conviction

 

[Smudge]

wonder how much the controversy vis a vis O'Driscoll impacted on this decision

Despite what that article suggests, it seems that Umaga was more concerned about having to be "nursed" through to the World Cup. He didn't want any corners cut for him just because he was All Black captain. Possibly a good call for him, although that leaves me equally as keen to see McAlister and Smith together.

 

[_Ed_]

Good on him for going out on his own terms, and in Smith we have a pretty good replacement.

He was certainly a very good captain though.

 

[Blaze]

McCaw will take over as captain. Really sad IMO. Umaga is still the best centre in New Zealand, his defensive work is second to none.

 

[James]

That would be the obvious choice I would agree, but with McCaw being injured so often could we afford to do that?

 

[Tim]

Chris Jack would be a capable leader.

 

[Blaze]

That would be the obvious choice I would agree, but with McCaw being injured so often could we afford to do that?

I see no problem with him getting injured. It is not like it is a body issue and he is injury prone, he just needs to sort his head out. He will be fine IMO and a great captain.

Tim- Chris Jack isn't strong enough IMO. Doesn't command respect like Umaga or McCaw. The only other option is Oliver and he isn't a guarenteed first team starter.

 

[Lyell_Chris]

Oliver just stirs sh!t

When ever things don't go his way the whole world has to know about it

 

[Lyell_Chris]

I think Umaga is a bit past it

What do you guys think of having Gear at centre with Rokocoko in the right wing and Sitiveni on the left

 

[Blaze]

I think Umaga is a bit past it

What do you guys think of having Gear at centre with Rokocoko in the right wing and Sitiveni on the left

No way. Gear is not a test centre.

 

[ohtani's jacket]

I admire Tana's decision to step down, particularly his declination to be used sparingly. I'll miss him, though. For me he was the most immediately identifable All Black and had developed a great presence as captain.

 

[ashes winners]

Good riddance to the dirty thug.

 

[Smudge]

Good riddance to the dirty thug.

Another sucker who believes everything he reads in the English tabloids.

Run along now.

 

[ashes winners]

Another sucker who believes everything he reads in the English tabloids.

Run along now.

Errrr no just what i see.If you think what he did to O'Driscoll was fine then you are the ***** you nobhead.

 

[Smudge]

Errrr no just what i see.If you think what he did to O'Driscoll was fine then you are the ***** you nobhead.

I saw what he did. It was reckless, but unfortunate. It was two players going in to clean out a player using the leg-lift technique taught around the world, and unfortunately they happened to attempt to clean him out at the same time.

This is the same Tana Umaga who won a special Fair Play award for clearing Colin Charvis' tongue from his airway after he was knocked out.

 

[Jamee999]

Let's never arrest any doctors ever again....

 

[_Ed_]

Good riddance to the dirty thug.

That's not a very nice thing to say. Whatever you think of the O'Driscoll tackle (I personally think it can't have been deliberate, that'd be completely opposite to his behaviour in every other match I've seen), Umaga has been a brilliant servant to NZ rugby and a top-class leader, and as indicated by the Charvis injury Voltman mentioned, a good sportsman.

I think he should be honoured for his contribution to NZ rugby in this thread, not labelled a dirty thug.

 

[chaminda_00]

His going to be missed by the rugby community, one of the best centres i've ever seen and brilliant captain. Also who ever said there was anything wrong with thugs in rugby.