Umaga calls for Tri-Nations revamp

DURBAN - On the eve of the All Blacks' opening Tri-Nations test, vice-captain Tana Umaga has called for the tournament to be revamped, giving it more value for spectators and players.

The annual competition involving New Zealand, Australia and South Africa is in its eighth year out of 10 under the Sanzar deal signed when rugby turned professional.

The future of the tournament is part of a wider discussion over what happens when the News Ltd contract ends in 2005.

Umaga agreed with a sentiment shared widely in New Zealand that the Tri-Nations was becoming stale and suggested it be altered.

"There's the graft of having to play it every year, and you're familiar with all the players through the Super 12," Umaga said.

"It would probably hold a little more for the punters watching, and even for the players, if it is every second year or something like that.

"It would bring some more significance or maybe even meaning for the players."

The return of tours has been advocated, something Umaga largely supported, apart from the fact it meant players would be away from home longer than ever.

"You don't get that touring feeling if you're only away for two weeks and you're only playing tests.

"You can't build the depth that you've been able to in the past through midweek games. These days you're blooding guys straight into test rugby, which sometimes is a big step."

The Tri-Nations is a money-spinner in Australia and South Africa, so it is less likely their respective unions would be in a hurry to change the status quo.

"It'll be interesting to see what they do," Umaga said.

- NZPA