July 18, 2026 • 11 mins
The All Blacks delivered a win against Ireland at Eden Park on Saturday night, with a score of 40-21.
All Blacks assistant coach Tana Umaga joined Jason Pine to discuss the game, the upcoming South Africa tour, and his new role.
"It's one of those things that you dream of, I thought my time would pass me by for an opportunity like this and I'm forever thankful that I got this opportunity," he said.
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
News Talks All Blacks forty Ireland twenty one that we're
joined by All Blacks assistant coach Tana umong Atana. Congratulations
on the win. How satisfying was that performance against an
Irish side that's consistently been one of the world's best
over the last few years.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Yeah, it's funny satisfying. You know, I watched the game
this morning and you know, being out there last night,
I think we're we're happy with the win, but obviously
there's always things to work on. You know, we've improved
in this in the first three games, so that's you
know that that's great for the.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Players and for us.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
And it really felt like a test. Message was a
lot a lot on it, you know, playing in you
know Leed and Park and and the threat of Ireland.
As you said, you know, one of the best teams
of the world, and you know, they didn't die wondering
out there, and you know it was just.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
A credit to them. But also our boys were standing
up to.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
It seemed to be a real balance between the physicality
and your attacking ambition. Did the game unfold pretty much
the way that you thought it would and hoped that
it would.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You know, you always have a picture in your head
and of how the game would go, and you know,
we knew that be you know, that'd be.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
At us with the ball in.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Hand, and you know, they bring a lot of line pressure,
defensive pressure on us, and you know, I thought our
attack really keep their feet and handle that as well
as we could. And then we just you know, we
mixed it up well with our forwards, you know, who
worked tirelessly all night and our taking good options. So
(01:54):
you know, look, it did play out as we'd hoped,
and obviously you're getting the getting the result at the
end of it, and you know that's what you hope
for and our boys worked hard for.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
It is the kind of starting to reflect the identity
that you're trying to build under this All Blacks coaching group.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Look, you know, we definitely won't be seen as a
team that you know, that shows what our optimism around
the way we play, and you know, we know there's
there's certain things that we can't get away from, and
that's you know, as we've talked about the physicality of
the game and making sure we stand up in those areas.
But you know, like in the end, that's what people
(02:36):
will judge us on, and that's for them to make
that that opinion. But we want to make sure that
we're presenting ourselves and showing a showcasing.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
A kind of game that people will be part of
in our country.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
How have you balanced the or struck the balance between
wanting to establish combinations, you know, the identity that this
All Blacks team wants to be under under you know,
Dave Renni and the rest of the coaching group, but
also just going out there on winning test matches.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
It's a fine balance, you know this. It's a tough
one for some obviously, you know we named thirty forward.
We didn't use all of those players in this campaign,
and you know that they were very important to us
in preparing our group and they're going out to these
these three tests and you know, those guys that went out,
(03:25):
you know they understand, you know, the responsibility they have
and who they represent and knowing that they do it
not just for you know, our nation, but also for
for this group. I mean that you know, they're trying
to stake and make a name for us and what
we're trying to achieve, So you know, look, you know
it is tough, it's fine balance, but everyone understands what
(03:48):
we're here for, and you know, Dave and has done
a great job and making sure everyone buys them to that,
and we've just got to be to make sure that,
you know, we're keeping everyone informed and I think that's
all we can do.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
You go up again now in terms of intensely presumably
anyway four tests and then another four matches against South
African franchise sides. It's a hik of a tour. What
areas of the of the All Blacks game? Do you
think we'll need to go up another level in order
to negotiate what's ahead?
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Oh, you know, you can obviously imagine they're going to
be very physical, as you know the South African rugby
traditionally is, and you know they're going to be sitting
over there waiting for us to come over. So you know,
we have to navigate making sure that all our players
are ready for that they're ready for You know, if
(04:40):
we think we're fanatical about rugby over here, you know
what it's like for some that would probably be touring
South Africa for the first time. You know what it's
going to be like over there, and you know they're
they're passionate about their rugby as we know, and you
know that they're they're very proud of obviously being the
number one nation in the world for rugby. So you
(05:03):
know what, our guys are going to make sure that,
you know, we just stay focused on what we're about.
You know, as you've said this, stick true to what
you know we are and what our identity is we're
trying to achieve and who we are. So because that's
what we're going to have to rely on when when
you can't hear anything, you know in those cauldrons that
they have over there.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
And you know, I don't know. I think one time.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
When I was over there, there's some oriagins throwing at us,
I think. So, you know, you just it's all part
of it and it's something to look forward to and
it's going to be an experience that these guys will
remember for the rest of their lives.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I bet, I bet squad management is that going to
be quite important? You know, like I say, such a
busy tour, a demanding tour, how much of a challenge
is squad management going to be?
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Know it's going to have to be really important. You know,
you play games, you know, four days apart, and you
know some guys will have to back up. But you're
just going to be really mindful around those things and injuries.
And obviously there's the test matches at the end of
it that everyone wants to be a part of, so
you have to build that up and you know we've
(06:09):
already had discussions around that. But as you know, be
Slade plans can obviously come unstuck if you get one
injury in certain positions and things like that, and so
it's just the ability to you know, make sure we've
got some strong plans in place, but also the ability
to adapt and having our guys ready at any Eddie incidant.
(06:32):
And again, you know, I think David the man, we've
done a really good job around making sure that we are.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
How are you enjoying it? Tana? I saw you just
before the game last night, about an hour before we
just sort of out on the grass there, and I
wondered to myself, I wonder what tata Umaga is thinking
right now. I don't expect you to tell me, but
how how are you enjoying the new role?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
No, it's oh look, you know again it's I suppose
from a coaching perspective, it's one of these things that
you dream of, you know, I thought my time had
passed me by for an opportunity like this and for everything.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
For that, you know that I got.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
This opportunity and now you just want to make sure
that you do the best you can. So pretty fortunate
that you've got a good group around us in terms
of staff, you know, the playing group, just some amazing individuals,
you know, both on and off the field. When you've
got the best of our country, you know, all together,
(07:29):
really focused on what they want to achieve and making
sure that we're a lined across that. You know, some
guys are I've never come across and even though we've
cross path through Rugby, just just listening to them and
in the way they talk the game, it's it's just
really uplifting for for a coach knowing that you know,
(07:50):
these guys are really locked into what they're about and
they buy into it, so you know, and that's half
the half the half the battle sometimes. But no, look,
I was walking around even Park last night just looking
around and again, you know, we've made it a Fortress,
(08:10):
but just probably a neary feeling of you know, having
walking around it as a coach now and I was
giving a little excited around, you know, a Test match
that was coming, so you know that those things are exciting.
And again I'm pretty excited that, you know, we got
the result we were looking for. Otherwise I could have
been feeling a little bit different.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I'm sure you still would have taken my call, but
you're right, we would have been having a different conversation. Hey, congratulations,
Congratulations to you the coach and group the players on
three from three in the Nation's Championship. I hope you
enjoy We break with a family, Tana and all the
best in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Thank you very much, Jason, No, thank you very.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Much, Tana, Tana among they're joining us on weekend sport.
We've got a body of work now with which we
can can can work. We can form some assessments, we
can we can make some observations based across three test matches,
not just one. France thirty four to thirty two in
christ Jurg, Italy forty seven, seventeen in Wellington, Ireland forty
(09:08):
twenty one at Eden Park last night fifty three test
matches unbeaten there Now, if we're giving it a mark
out of ten, it's a very solid seven three wins
from three, an average of forty points per game, an
obvious game plan with ball in hand, and the development
of that game plan from the slight clunkiness. I guess
(09:30):
you'd call it in christ j Chen in Wellington to
a much better balance in Auckland last night. Within the squad,
plenty of competition for places in all positions. Rarely there
are only three or four where you'd say there's a
definite number one, half back, right wing, second five, number eight,
(09:51):
roy Gard, Jordan Jordi, Barrett Adi savea the spine of
the side, lu said prop probably Ethan de Greup playing
very well, but still a lot of discussion around the
loose forward mix and the back three. Plenty of depth
at Locke, couple of players knocking on the as well.
I thought Asafua Moore was terrific last night, and with
(10:11):
Cody Taylor set to miss the first couple of weeks
in South Africa, Amore might mount a case for starting
at hooker. Although I do love the impact that he
provides off the bench. I have to say too, the
clarity with which Dave Rennie speaks is just so refreshing
(10:32):
in media situations. He answers questions clearly, concisely, without any
BS that has to translate. You'd have to think into
what's happening internally. I get the feeling that there is
absolutely no confusion inside the All Blacks about what is required,
no gray area about standards, about game plan, about expectations,
(10:53):
total clarity, which has to be so comforting, doesn't it
for players? Here's what we need you to do. Now,
go out and do it. Of course, there are bigger
tests ahead, without a shadow of doubt, of course there
are going to find out over the next two months
just where this All Black side is at four tests
against South Africa, three of them in the Republic, and
(11:15):
they've come at exactly the right time. What better gauge
could there possibly be for a new coaching group and
for the All Blacks a year out from the Rugby
World Cup, then a tour like this of South Africa.
I am very excited about it. Starts against the Stormers
in three weeks and ramps up with the first Test
(11:36):
in Johannesburg five weeks from now.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
For more from weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talks B.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
News Talks All Blacks forty Ireland twenty one that we're
joined by All Blacks assistant coach Tana umong Atana. Congratulations
on the win. How satisfying was that performance against an
Irish side that's consistently been one of the world's best
over the last few years.
Speaker 3 (00:28):
Yeah, it's funny satisfying. You know, I watched the game
this morning and you know, being out there last night,
I think we're we're happy with the win, but obviously
there's always things to work on. You know, we've improved
in this in the first three games, so that's you
know that that's great for the.
Speaker 4 (00:47):
Players and for us.
Speaker 3 (00:50):
And it really felt like a test. Message was a
lot a lot on it, you know, playing in you
know Leed and Park and and the threat of Ireland.
As you said, you know, one of the best teams
of the world, and you know, they didn't die wondering
out there, and you know it was just.
Speaker 4 (01:07):
A credit to them. But also our boys were standing
up to.
Speaker 2 (01:09):
It seemed to be a real balance between the physicality
and your attacking ambition. Did the game unfold pretty much
the way that you thought it would and hoped that
it would.
Speaker 3 (01:22):
You know, you always have a picture in your head
and of how the game would go, and you know,
we knew that be you know, that'd be.
Speaker 4 (01:30):
At us with the ball in.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Hand, and you know, they bring a lot of line pressure,
defensive pressure on us, and you know, I thought our
attack really keep their feet and handle that as well
as we could. And then we just you know, we
mixed it up well with our forwards, you know, who
worked tirelessly all night and our taking good options. So
(01:54):
you know, look, it did play out as we'd hoped,
and obviously you're getting the getting the result at the
end of it, and you know that's what you hope
for and our boys worked hard for.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
It is the kind of starting to reflect the identity
that you're trying to build under this All Blacks coaching group.
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Look, you know, we definitely won't be seen as a
team that you know, that shows what our optimism around
the way we play, and you know, we know there's
there's certain things that we can't get away from, and
that's you know, as we've talked about the physicality of
the game and making sure we stand up in those areas.
But you know, like in the end, that's what people
(02:36):
will judge us on, and that's for them to make
that that opinion. But we want to make sure that
we're presenting ourselves and showing a showcasing.
Speaker 4 (02:45):
A kind of game that people will be part of
in our country.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
How have you balanced the or struck the balance between
wanting to establish combinations, you know, the identity that this
All Blacks team wants to be under under you know,
Dave Renni and the rest of the coaching group, but
also just going out there on winning test matches.
Speaker 3 (03:03):
It's a fine balance, you know this. It's a tough
one for some obviously, you know we named thirty forward.
We didn't use all of those players in this campaign,
and you know that they were very important to us
in preparing our group and they're going out to these
these three tests and you know, those guys that went out,
(03:25):
you know they understand, you know, the responsibility they have
and who they represent and knowing that they do it
not just for you know, our nation, but also for
for this group. I mean that you know, they're trying
to stake and make a name for us and what
we're trying to achieve, So you know, look, you know
it is tough, it's fine balance, but everyone understands what
(03:48):
we're here for, and you know, Dave and has done
a great job and making sure everyone buys them to that,
and we've just got to be to make sure that,
you know, we're keeping everyone informed and I think that's
all we can do.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
You go up again now in terms of intensely presumably
anyway four tests and then another four matches against South
African franchise sides. It's a hik of a tour. What
areas of the of the All Blacks game? Do you
think we'll need to go up another level in order
to negotiate what's ahead?
Speaker 3 (04:16):
Oh, you know, you can obviously imagine they're going to
be very physical, as you know the South African rugby
traditionally is, and you know they're going to be sitting
over there waiting for us to come over. So you know,
we have to navigate making sure that all our players
are ready for that they're ready for You know, if
(04:40):
we think we're fanatical about rugby over here, you know
what it's like for some that would probably be touring
South Africa for the first time. You know what it's
going to be like over there, and you know they're
they're passionate about their rugby as we know, and you
know that they're they're very proud of obviously being the
number one nation in the world for rugby. So you
(05:03):
know what, our guys are going to make sure that,
you know, we just stay focused on what we're about.
You know, as you've said this, stick true to what
you know we are and what our identity is we're
trying to achieve and who we are. So because that's
what we're going to have to rely on when when
you can't hear anything, you know in those cauldrons that
they have over there.
Speaker 4 (05:23):
And you know, I don't know. I think one time.
Speaker 3 (05:25):
When I was over there, there's some oriagins throwing at us,
I think. So, you know, you just it's all part
of it and it's something to look forward to and
it's going to be an experience that these guys will
remember for the rest of their lives.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
I bet, I bet squad management is that going to
be quite important? You know, like I say, such a
busy tour, a demanding tour, how much of a challenge
is squad management going to be?
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (05:48):
Know it's going to have to be really important. You know,
you play games, you know, four days apart, and you
know some guys will have to back up. But you're
just going to be really mindful around those things and injuries.
And obviously there's the test matches at the end of
it that everyone wants to be a part of, so
you have to build that up and you know we've
(06:09):
already had discussions around that. But as you know, be
Slade plans can obviously come unstuck if you get one
injury in certain positions and things like that, and so
it's just the ability to you know, make sure we've
got some strong plans in place, but also the ability
to adapt and having our guys ready at any Eddie incidant.
(06:32):
And again, you know, I think David the man, we've
done a really good job around making sure that we are.
Speaker 2 (06:38):
How are you enjoying it? Tana? I saw you just
before the game last night, about an hour before we
just sort of out on the grass there, and I
wondered to myself, I wonder what tata Umaga is thinking
right now. I don't expect you to tell me, but
how how are you enjoying the new role?
Speaker 3 (06:52):
No, it's oh look, you know again it's I suppose
from a coaching perspective, it's one of these things that
you dream of, you know, I thought my time had
passed me by for an opportunity like this and for everything.
Speaker 4 (07:06):
For that, you know that I got.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
This opportunity and now you just want to make sure
that you do the best you can. So pretty fortunate
that you've got a good group around us in terms
of staff, you know, the playing group, just some amazing individuals,
you know, both on and off the field. When you've
got the best of our country, you know, all together,
(07:29):
really focused on what they want to achieve and making
sure that we're a lined across that. You know, some
guys are I've never come across and even though we've
cross path through Rugby, just just listening to them and
in the way they talk the game, it's it's just
really uplifting for for a coach knowing that you know,
(07:50):
these guys are really locked into what they're about and
they buy into it, so you know, and that's half
the half the half the battle sometimes. But no, look,
I was walking around even Park last night just looking
around and again, you know, we've made it a Fortress,
(08:10):
but just probably a neary feeling of you know, having
walking around it as a coach now and I was
giving a little excited around, you know, a Test match
that was coming, so you know that those things are exciting.
And again I'm pretty excited that, you know, we got
the result we were looking for. Otherwise I could have
been feeling a little bit different.
Speaker 2 (08:32):
I'm sure you still would have taken my call, but
you're right, we would have been having a different conversation. Hey, congratulations,
Congratulations to you the coach and group the players on
three from three in the Nation's Championship. I hope you
enjoy We break with a family, Tana and all the
best in South Africa.
Speaker 4 (08:46):
Thank you very much, Jason, No, thank you very.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Much, Tana, Tana among they're joining us on weekend sport.
We've got a body of work now with which we
can can can work. We can form some assessments, we
can we can make some observations based across three test matches,
not just one. France thirty four to thirty two in
christ Jurg, Italy forty seven, seventeen in Wellington, Ireland forty
(09:08):
twenty one at Eden Park last night fifty three test
matches unbeaten there Now, if we're giving it a mark
out of ten, it's a very solid seven three wins
from three, an average of forty points per game, an
obvious game plan with ball in hand, and the development
of that game plan from the slight clunkiness. I guess
(09:30):
you'd call it in christ j Chen in Wellington to
a much better balance in Auckland last night. Within the squad,
plenty of competition for places in all positions. Rarely there
are only three or four where you'd say there's a
definite number one, half back, right wing, second five, number eight,
(09:51):
roy Gard, Jordan Jordi, Barrett Adi savea the spine of
the side, lu said prop probably Ethan de Greup playing
very well, but still a lot of discussion around the
loose forward mix and the back three. Plenty of depth
at Locke, couple of players knocking on the as well.
I thought Asafua Moore was terrific last night, and with
(10:11):
Cody Taylor set to miss the first couple of weeks
in South Africa, Amore might mount a case for starting
at hooker. Although I do love the impact that he
provides off the bench. I have to say too, the
clarity with which Dave Rennie speaks is just so refreshing
(10:32):
in media situations. He answers questions clearly, concisely, without any
BS that has to translate. You'd have to think into
what's happening internally. I get the feeling that there is
absolutely no confusion inside the All Blacks about what is required,
no gray area about standards, about game plan, about expectations,
(10:53):
total clarity, which has to be so comforting, doesn't it
for players? Here's what we need you to do. Now,
go out and do it. Of course, there are bigger
tests ahead, without a shadow of doubt, of course there
are going to find out over the next two months
just where this All Black side is at four tests
against South Africa, three of them in the Republic, and
(11:15):
they've come at exactly the right time. What better gauge
could there possibly be for a new coaching group and
for the All Blacks a year out from the Rugby
World Cup, then a tour like this of South Africa.
I am very excited about it. Starts against the Stormers
in three weeks and ramps up with the first Test
(11:36):
in Johannesburg five weeks from now.
Speaker 1 (11:40):
For more from weekend Sport with Jason Fine. Listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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