Umaga confirmed to join All Blacks after Super Rugby Pacific

Fa'alogo Tana Umaga return to the All Blacks is now official and it marks a powerful moment not just for New Zealand rugby but for the Pacific.

New Zealand Rugby has confirmed Umaga will join the All Blacks as an assistant coach under new head coach Dave Rennie, alongside Neil Barnes, Mike Blair and Jason Ryan.

PMN News had earlier reported Umaga was tipped for the role, with his appointment now formally confirmed by NZ Rugby.

The former All Blacks captain, who is of Sāmoan heritage (Sagone, Afega and Leulumoega Tuai), will take up the defence coach role at the end of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season, bringing his time with Moana Pasifika to a close.

More than 20 years after becoming the first All Blacks captain of Pacific heritage, Umaga’s appointment reflects how far the game has come and how strong Pacific influence has become at the highest level.

“Just to be in the conversation, to have a role with the All Blacks again is pretty big,” Umaga said. “It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.”

Moana Pasifika will enter a new chapter after 2026, following Tana Umaga’s move to the All Blacks set-up. Photo/Moana Pasifika

He says the decision is deeply personal, tied to both identity and responsibility.

“My heart is always with culture - the All Blacks culture, representing the country I was born in, and the culture of my parents - the heritage and the blood that runs through me," he said in a statement.

"I have deep connections to both of those so it would have to be something that I am really connected to for me to move on [from Moana Pasifika].

“In terms of these two teams, they mean a lot to me, both of them. They are part of me.”

Before stepping into the All Blacks set-up, Umaga is clear that he still has work to do.

“I’ve got to make sure that I do well with Moana Pasifika and respect the time that I’ve got here. I’ll apply the same things I learned when I was an All Black in terms of ‘am I going to leave Moana in a better place?’

“So I’m here until the end of the season and we’ve still got things we want to achieve before then.”

Umaga's move opens the door for a new chapter at Moana Pasifika, a team built on Pacific identity and pride.

“You’ve always got to have succession planning,” he said. “You’ve got to have a look at who is coming in next because at some stage, players need a new voice and a new way of doing things.

Tana Umaga with Moana Pasifika captain Miracle Faiilagi. Photo/PMN News/Candice Ama

“And it’s an opportunity for some very good young coaches to step forward and keep it going.”

Early this month, Rennie replaced Scott Robertson, who was sacked after a review of the All Blacks' 2025 Test season.

Rennie, a former Wallabies coach, said he has recruited a group who each have vast proven experience and are world-class in their specialist fields.

“This is a very experienced and highly skilled coaching team," his statement read. "Each of these men has a track record of getting the best out of the players and teams they coach, and they are each hugely motivated to get stuck in and deliver the same success with the All Blacks.”

Moana Pasifika chief executive Debbie Sorensen said Umaga's appointment carries huge meaning beyond rugby.

“We are immensely proud of Fa’alogo and could not be happier for his aiga,” her statement read.

Moana Pasifika CEO Debbie Sorensen says Umaga’s appointment is a proud moment for the franchise and the wider Pacific community. Photo/Supplied

“Not only is this a huge moment for the franchise, but for our Pacific community and especially our younger generations, who get to see two leaders of Pacific heritage coaching the All Blacks.

“His impact at Moana Pasifika has been astounding, not just for the rugby team, but for our staff and wider community. As much as we will miss him, we wish him all the best and look forward to cheering him on in this new role.”

New Zealand Rugby interim CEO Steve Lancaster thanked the outgoing coaches for their work.

"We acknowledge that this has been an uncertain period for people and that there are some difficult farewells as part of the process.

"I want to pay tribute to the service that Scott Hansen, Tamati Ellison and Bryn Evans have given to the black jersey.

Dave Rennie says he's ready to lead the All Blacks into a new era as Tana Umaga joins his coaching team. Photo/Photosport/Andrew Cornaga

Umaga leaves as Moana Pasifika’s most successful coach, having taken the side to the edge of the Super Rugby Pacific finals in 2025.

Now, he steps into one of the biggest roles in world rugby, carrying with him the hopes, pride, and growing influence of the Pacific game.

For more on the announcement, click here.

All Blacks coaching panel: Dave Rennie Head Coach, Neil Barnes Senior Assistant Coach, Jason Ryan Forwards Coach, Faʻalogo Tana Umaga Defence Coach, Mike Blair Attack Coach, Phil Healey Head of Performance.