Dave Rennie, the new All Blacks head coach, has announced his new assistants. Among them is the former New Zealand star Tana Umaga (52, 74 caps). The former Toulon player and coach will take charge of defence.

Umaga has not left the oval-ball world, since he is currently coaching Moana Pasifika, a Super Rugby Pacific team. “If we are talking about the opportunity I have been given, saying I am proud is an understatement“, he smiled in the pages of Stuff.

The former centre and wing will work alongside the ex-Brive player and Scotland international Mike Blair (85 caps between 2002 and 2012). Blair will look after attack. The experienced Neil Barnes will be Rennie’s senior assistant coach while Jason Ryan will still handle the forwards. Phil Healey, the new performance director, completes the staff.