Loss of Umaga dims celebrations

Tana Umaga has been a key figure for the All Blacks. Ross Land / Getty Images

It took almost four years to find a successor for Frank Bunce. It may take even longer to find a replacement for Tana Umaga - and his leadership may be even harder to reproduce.

The All Black skipper has retired at the perfect time in terms of his own legacy but maybe a couple of years early as far as the selectors are concerned.

There are two separate issues here - Umaga as player and Umaga as leader. He leaves a void so deep on both fronts that, overnight, the mantle of the All Blacks has been dented. Everyone agrees there is extraordinary talent throughout the All Black squad. No one, though, can pretend the loss of Umaga is anything other than a massive blow.

As All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith was moved to say this week: "I think he is the most globally respected centre in the game. I think his mana in the team has grown immeasurably in the last few years.

"In fact, I would say his mana within New Zealand has grown immeasurably in that time, too. So he offers us a huge amount as both a player and as a leader."

Particularly when it comes to leadership. Richie McCaw is the captain-designate but his recurring head injuries and the All Black rotation policy mean there is a new question to be asked: If not McCaw as captain, who? In his absence Aaron Mauger, Anton Oliver, Chris Jack and even Byron Kelleher rank as the senior alternatives.

However, Umaga's departure could be difficult for Mauger as it may be that his place in the side is not assured. A pairing with Conrad Smith would make a relatively lightweight combination and there would be plenty of sides encouraged to attack a pairing a bit short on defensive impact.

There is also the issue of Smith's inexperience. He revealed this week that: "Every day on tour last year I woke up and was nervous about going to training. I didn't say anything at training. I kind of rode the wave of enthusiasm and had to keep catching myself.

"I'm more comfortable now. I'm not saying I don't get nervous but I have been around the team for a year and I'm more familiar with the environment and how things work."

The coaching panel would have been happy for Smith to continue his education under the guidance of Umaga for another couple of years.

Before this morning's game, Scotland's backs coach Sean Lineen suggested New Zealanders shouldn't underestimate how intimidating it is for opposition midfielders to look up and see Umaga in front of them. His presence alone is enough to put doubt in opponents' minds. But his threat is much more than visual. No centre in the world makes as many telling tackles. Or grabs as much tackled ball. He also effectively uses his body to obstruct a quick release.

When he runs, he breaks tackles or uses his strength to get the ball away. The Lions, in particular, just didn't want to know about him when he ran hard on to flat passes. His game has evolved to the point where he is both provider and finisher - a combination that will take the young pretenders vying for his throne several years to achieve.

In captaincy terms Oliver, while of undoubted quality, may not have done enough to displace Keven Mealamu from the All Black No 1 combination. That points to Chris Jack, who is steadily growing in presence and seniority in the All Black camp as a possibility.

In terms of replacing Umaga the player, the contenders are Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Mils Muliaina. Nonu is the closest to being a direct replacement with his style and explosive power. But his distribution, defensive nous and general reading of the game are still some way off what the selectors want.

Smith runs clever support lines, links play well and is a snappy distributor. Muliaina made a dramatic impact at centre when he was recalled by Auckland at the end of their NPC campaign. There was an overwhelming sense from those games that centre is his best position. He is strong, deceptively quick and will probably develop that sixth sense Umaga has on defence.

With 35 test caps behind him, the 25-year-old Muliaina will bring composure and assured decision making. These are factors the selectors will find hard to bypass when they come to assess their options, especially as Leon MacDonald is an instant replacement for Muliaina at fullback.

The future without Umaga is not bleak. It is just not looking quite as bright without him.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY