Just over 20 years since retiring as the first All Blacks captain of Pacific heritage, Moana Pasifika head coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga has confirmed he will take up a role as All Blacks assistant coach at the conclusion of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.
It is a proud moment for him, his wife Rochelle and their four children who are of Samoan and Māori heritage. His appointment adds to the legacy of the Moana Pasifika, the All Blacks, the Pacific Islands and the region’s contribution to the global game.
“Just to be in the conversation – to have a role with the All Blacks again is pretty big,” said Umaga. “It’s no small undertaking but it’s a privilege and an honour.”
“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. 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.
“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 departure from Moana Pasifika creates an opportunity for a new era of leadership in the team’s rugby programme, which already consists of the best coaches in the Pacific.
The announcement of his successor will be made following a thorough appointment process – with a specific time frame to be confirmed.
“You’ve always got to have succession planning,” Umaga 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.
“And it’s an opportunity for some very good young coaches to step forward and keep it going.”
He has been celebrated internally by Moana Pasifika staff, as well as players both past and present, leaving with the blessings of its board and chief executive.
“We are immensely proud of Fa’alogo and could not be happier for his aiga,” said Moana Pasifika CEO Debbie Sorensen.
“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.”
Umaga leaves as Moana Pasifika’s most successful coach guiding the team to within one place of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific finals, in his second season. He also coached the original Moana Pasifika pilot team which took on the Māori All Blacks in 2021.
His appointment to the All Blacks coaching staff is a significant milestone in his journey as a professional rugby coach, having previously coached in Toulon before returning home to lead the Counties Manukau Steelers, the Blues and Moana Pasifika.
Umaga has embodied Moana Pasifika’s vision of Pacific people rising, a vision reflected in his new appointment — highlighting both the value of Pacific leadership in rugby and Moana Pasifika’s role in nurturing and developing Pacific talent.
ENDS
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