Toulon tag Tana

Toulon tag Tana

29 Jun 2006

Former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga has signed a one-year contract with Toulon, the French second division side said on Thursday.

The 33-year-old Umaga is set to arrive at the club at the end of October and it was co-president Mourad Boudjellal who was behind Umaga’s capture.

The centre will be competing in the New Zealand provincial championship for the Wellington Hurricanes between August and October.

“I can hardly believe it,” said Boudjellal. “Umaga is one of the most emblematic players on the planet.”

Toulon general manager Alain Teixidor did not hide his delight at Umaga’s signing. “He is the best player in the world and his arrival at Toulon will be beneficial to us,” he said.


10 Comments

  • 1.ebay addict: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2006, 16:43 pm

    see what money can buy!!!

  • 2.Cheetha Champs: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2006, 17:21 pm

    “Best player in the world”. Interesting. I think there are a couple of other players that might have a thing or two to say about that. Maybe a Mr Carter?

  • 3.ricane: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2006, 22:26 pm

    It’s actually Wellington LIONS, NZ S14 teams are separate franchises to their various feeder Rugby Unions, none of the NPC teams share S14 names

    Tana will be back in Wellington in time for the S14 next year, and whether or not you agree he’s the best player in the world, he will almost be guaranteed to be the best s14 player,
    with up to 50 of the stars on compulsary R&R preparing for the WC!!

    He’s gonna be knackered by then tho’, it will be an interesting test of these gametime burnout theories

  • 4.boet: Reply to this comment
    30 Jun 2006, 03:58 am

    Umanga is gonna hav alotta extra beer and pub money when he eventually returns to NZ.

  • 5.ricane: Reply to this comment
    30 Jun 2006, 04:50 am

    he might even be able to afford his very own handbag!

  • 6.yoda: Reply to this comment
    30 Jun 2006, 08:28 am

    ricane, sorry bud, he’s not anywhere near the best player in the world, he’s not even the best centre in the world…

  • 7.cane: Reply to this comment
    30 Jun 2006, 09:45 am

    Yoda,
    How about “very nearly one of the best centres in the world”.

  • 8.ricane: Reply to this comment
    30 Jun 2006, 22:21 pm

    G’morning/evening Yoda
    I never said Tana Umanga was the best player/center in the world, I said that he will be the best player in next years S14 if the 1st and maybe 2nd string players from the Wallys/ AB’s and Boks are not playing!!
    I reckon Stirling Mortlock is the best centre in the world, but am hoping like crazy that Conrad Smith rehabilites well and continues getting better at the rate he has over the last 3 years

  • 9.marvinb: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2006, 06:37 am

    I rate Tana ahead of Mortlock by a country mile.Mortlock maybe a good player but does not have the stepping skills of Tana Umanga or even the hand off ability. I believe Tana is the best Centre in the World.Tana’s weakness maybe his drop passes at vital times but in the end he still knows how to bring x-factor to the field.Hopefully he can be rested by nextyear and return for the RWC…..

  • 10.ricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jul 2006, 08:41 am

    hey Marvin
    where are you from?]
    You gotta admit Stirling had a better S14 than Tana.
    his ball handling was miles better
    his defence was as reliable
    He is a great finisher but can also break the line
    And he can kick goals…which in the Canes situation would have been handy for most of this season with their eratic goalkicking from #10′s

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.