Rugby: Umaga investment already paying off

Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai-Williams has re-signed with Counties because he wants to play with former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga. Photo / Getty Images

Counties-Manukau is already seeing its investment in Tana Umaga as a player-coach paying dividends.

Chiefs fullback Tim Nanai-Williams has re-signed with the Steelers because he wants to play with Umaga in the 2010 provincial competition, sponsors are coming out of the woodwork and membership sales are already up on last year.

Steelers chief executive Phil McConnell said the Umaga effect is all they had hoped it would be and they are starting to see their thoughts around the spin-offs become realistic.

McConnell is hoping Umaga's influence does not stop there as his brief is to make sure any New Zealanders wanting to come home play rugby play for the Steelers, including his close friend Sonny Bill Williams

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Williams needs to play provincial rugby this year if he wants to challenge for the World Cup squad.

- NEWSTALK ZB