Rugby: Chief Tana playing for keeps

Tana Umaga. Photo / Getty Images

Tana Umaga has been signed as a player first and foremost but Chiefs coach Ian Foster has every intention of tapping into Umaga's coaching repertoire for their next Super 15 campaign.

The 37-year-old Umaga signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs this week, extending a Super Rugby career that started in 1996 and initially ended 122 games later in 2007.

His form and influence with Counties Manukau in this year's ITM Cup proved resistible for Foster. The Chiefs are already well served in the midfield.

They have Richard Kahui, Dwayne Sweeney, Jackson Willison, Save Tokula and even Stephen Donald - although the experiment to use him at second five-eighths last season produced mixed results - but Foster sees Umaga playing a handful of games.

"I see him as part of the squad and I see him having the ability to start some games but when and where, I'm not sure," Foster said.

"There is going to be a little bit of trial and error as we understand how to manage him and we will see where he fits in with us when we get into pre-season.

"Tana's primary job is as a player. I have watched him at Counties and been impressed with what he has done on the park and his determination to want to play.

"When I first sat down with him a few weeks ago I told him that he wasn't really in our plans but, as we saw the ITM Cup unfold, it became clear he's still got plenty of life in him. He had some really good moments and I felt we could utilise him."

Umaga is sure to have a major influence on the squad. People listen when he talks and his experience is unrivalled. For that reason, Foster will have no hesitation in tapping into that.

"We have a pretty good coaching unit already [with Craig Stevenson and Keith Robinson] but part of our philosophy is to use whatever we can from the players because they are on the park and seeing things," Foster said."With Mils [Muliaina, Siti [Sivivatu], Donald, [Mike] Delaney and Umaga, we have some pretty good brains.

"I want him to help some of the players around him and he's going to be a really good influence on that group. There will be some mentoring, specialist work with the midfield unit and he will be a sounding board like other senior players."

Foster is heading into his eighth and last season as Chiefs coach and it's not yet sure who will take over. Warren Gatland reportedly fielded offers to return but recently signed an extension with Wales until the end of the 2015 World Cup.

It might be too soon for Umaga to take over from Foster as a Super Rugby coach. He might be expected to develop his coaching skills more with Counties Manukau and there is also a talented crop of coaches coming through like Bryce Woodward, Milton Haig, Dave Rennie, Rob Penney and Mark Anscombe.

But Umaga's reputation and knowledge means he will surely be well supported by the NZRU. Foster has every reason to believe Umaga will become a successful coach, when he's ready to commit fulltime.

"He knows that every year is likely to be his last as a player and he has one eye on the future," Foster said. "But he's got a passion for coaching and being exposed to another set-up will make him a better coach.

"I look at what he's achieved as a player and what he wants to achieve as a coach and I have no doubt he's going to do very well in coaching. But right now he wants to enjoy the last chapter of his playing career."