'A huge loss to world rugby'

Wednesday January 11 2006
'The game is a much poorer place in his absence'

Tributes to former New Zealand captain Tana Umaga keep flooding in. Here are some of your views on the player who "bestrode the sporting world like a colossus" and to the man who taught us the difference between tiddlywinks and rugby...

TAKE A BOW, TANA!

Tana will be a great loss to New Zealand, and to the game. He is an exceptionally great competitor and leader of the All Blacks, and I will never forget the time he stopped a game to help me when I was knocked unconscious playing for Wales against him. I thank him for that first aid, which just sums up the type of bloke he is.

Tana captained the All Blacks to the Tri-Nations, a whitewash over the Lions, and it seems fitting that he should end it all with a Grand Slam tour win over the home unions. Good luck Tana, from Charv.
- Colin Charvis, Newcastle, England

Since watching Tana in the 1999 RWC I have been intrigued by the immense talent that he has shown on the rugby field. But continued watching of the man has brought to the fore many more honourable qualities. A massive sense of integrity, unsurpassed sportsmanship and, through actions and words, a permeating spirit for the game of rugby.

Over the years the silent domination, first on the wing, and then in the centre, exhibited through sublime skills, thunderous defence and the above-mentioned unquestionable sportsmanship has left the man with a godlike aura. His performances have commanded respect the world over, and personally, forced me to like an 'enemy' so much that I feel a need to be on first-name basis.

He is, in my opinion, the best rugby player in world. His retirement is a loss to the game of rugby, and although New Zealand has an obscene amount of talent and depth, I have no doubt that his retirement will cause ripples in the otherwise smooth functioning of the All Black machine. Their loss is everyone's else's gain.

Some men are exceptional rugby players; some are exceptional leaders - seldom are they both. I will miss the challenge that Tana Umaga offers on the rugby field.
- Glen Elferink, Port Elizabeth, South Africa

What more could be said about the man? Truly, a great loss, not only to the All Blacks, but to the world of rugby also. At least, being a Wellington Hurricanes supporter, I can still see him play for a little bit longer.
- Gee Rahahara, Australia

A sad day. He bestrode the rugby world like a colossus - the game is a much poorer place in his absence.
- James Harris, Bristol, UK

Umaga was a great competitor, player and captain. He won a Sportsmanship award for coming to the aid of a concussed Colin Charvis (albeit after another unpunished high tackle from Jerry Collins) during a game between the ABs and Wales. His comment to the ref 'we're not playing tiddlywinks' during a Super 12 game epitomised his tough tackling reputation.

However, the O'Driscoll affair was ugly and has marred his otherwise good name. No apology, nor remorse surprised many. It was another example of the lack of justice when AB players cross the line playing in New Zealand - this attitude is common amongst 'Murray Mexted style' blinkered Kiwi's.

With Umaga gone the ABs may well promote McCaw to captain and have plenty of good centres to replace him. Or, as is the Kiwi way, they may well poach another player from the Pacific Islands.
- Scottie, Englishman in Oz

Tana, one of the greats of the game, can only be applauded for his courage and wisdom in going out at the top of his game. What more could he achieve - only a world cup win but his courageous decision will be to the All Blacks benefit as they blood a new leader over the next two years to take them to the pinnacle of world rugby. Not just a great player but a great human being. Would that there were more leaders like Tana in all our endeavours in life.
- Rob Wilson

Well .... it could not have come at a better time. He will go out with what few could have achieved in a lifetime. After starting test rugby on the wing, moving to the centre, and then to his best position - 2nd-fives (inside centre), where he showed true evolution of skill and deployment of leadership.
 
There are far too many special moments as an icon background to his portrait; however, that 'greatest game ever' in 2000 in Sydney (in front of a record 109,000+ crowd) where he scored a brilliant try will always be a reminiscence. As an All Black skipper on a wall of fame, it will be hard to exceed hierarchy after Umaga's 2005 campaign.
 
NZ rugby is in good hands though; take the Hurricanes for example: a backline loaded with talent where recent retirements and re-locators of world class are constantly being replaced. Way to go, Tana! Truly world renowned and genuine world class! Enjoy but keep in touch!
- Stuart Smith, Ottawa, Canada

I personally think there can be no doubting that it is a day of mourning throughout the entire rugby world. Here was a player of integrity and immense ability. He will be forever remembered for his freakish talents and the way he has led the all blacks over the last two years. All All Black fans rue the injury that forced him out of the 2003 World Cup, where he was set to play a crucial role for NZ. I wish him the best for the future
- Paul Daly, Australia

Fine man, great leader and wonderful rugby player. As an Irishman I am ashamed of O'Driscoll and the press's abuse of him after an unfortunate accident. I wish Tana the best for his future.
- Jim, Ireland

Gratitude and join the other great players of the past. We thank you for sharing with us the last eight years of your life. We are so much richer for it. Enjoy your family, for now it is their time.
- Warren, New Zealand

Is he the best player in the world ? For me he is the best! I'm very sad today for this news. Tana Jonathan Falefasa Umaga - you are for me the best forever!
- Caluma, Italy

How unfortunate that a player with such a record will be remembered for one tackle.
- David Taylor, UK

As a staunch Springbok supporter, I'm very sad to see a fantastic player go. Tana has been a great sportsman and a great ambassador for the game. He has been a very worthy adversary, and I believe I speak for all Bok supporters in saying he commanded the utmost respect as the captain of arch-rival, New Zealand. He was always humble and friendly, despite all his fantastic achievements. One of the true greats of the game.
 
My favourite Tana moment must be the first rendition of the new Haka - Kapa o Pango - against South Africa during the 2005 Tri Nations. It sent a chill down my spine seeing his passion in leading his side in this great new tradition. I was thousands of miles away, but was very scared!
 
Tana, your South African rugby adversaries, friends and admirers will miss you! Keep smiling
- Koos, London

Everything the All Blacks should stand for - integrity, dignity, sportsmanship, improving the profile of our game, humility and acknowledgement that although losing (didn't happen often) is bad, life is a lot bigger.
- Andy, a fan forever, NZ

Don't think that much of the guy after the Lions tour. Not much at all. His rugby high was a Grand Slam of the British Isles, you don't get any medals for that.
- Digi

Tears will be shed over beers all the way from Petone to Stockholm. One of the most popular All Blacks ever, and certainly besides Jonah one of the most widely recognised players around the rugby world. From being a flying winger with a great step, to an inside centre with a huge defensive game and a great pass, and a much respected All Black captain. The World Cup eluded you but the boys will pick it up for you in a couple of years time Tana.
- Mark Storey, Sweden

Tana, in my opinion, has got to be the most respected passionate All Black of recent history, I would put him first equal with Sean Fitzpatrick.

I'm really sad to see him go, as I would dearly have loved to see him lift the World Cup aloft...

The All Blacks wont be the same without you. Good luck to you and your family.
- Jason Buckhart, NZ

Tana has and an auspicious career in the black jersey, a true great of the game. As a Bok supporter and a AB admirer I feel Tana has given it his all and feel that we owe him a big thank you for his service to world rugby. He seemed to earn players respect and exuded confidence and strength always. Great qualities of a great captain and great player. Good on ya mate.
- Jason Stevens, South Africa

Shame about Tana Umaga hanging up his Test boots ... Henry got it right. He is one of the great All Blacks. His lengthy inch-perfect pass at full pace in the rain last year to his wing who scored was the single finest piece of rugby skill for the ABs in 2005, quite a feat given their achievements last year.

He clearly knew how to get the best out of his players and was an excellent captain (though I don't think he was necessarily one of the greats).

The O'Driscoll tackle sadly mars an otherwise exemplary track record for fair play and will overshadow his decency in going over to check that Colin Charvis was OK after a heavy tackle.

He certainly leaves at the height of his powers and I have a sneaking suspicion attempts will be made to coax him back for one last hurrah at the World Cup, especially if he has a good season for the Hurricanes this year and the ABs a patchy one. Though given the strength in NZ rugby right now a path back looks hugely unlikely.

Finally tremendous for the country and for rugby to have a Samoan as captain given the contribution Samoans make to the sport in NZ. A great role model right up there with Jonah Lomu!

Take a bow Tana! But I hope however his return to civvy street makes him get a sensible haircut!
- Mike, Manila

What an end to an era. Tana is a superstar and a credit to New Zealand. Awesome player who played hard but was always fair. He will be missed all over the world and will be very hard to replace.
 
Well done Tana, enjoy your retirement and thank you for all the good times. As a Springbok supporter, I bid you farewell! Long may Tana remain in our rugby memories.
- Nickdemus, Cape Town, SA

The AB prospects for a World Cup depend on the same two things as at the last 3 cups:

1) A leader who stands out above all others at the World Cup - the John Eales or Martin Johnson, one player out of thousands who play during his era, who simply has that leadership quality to overcome all others.
2) Dour strategies win World Cups and the ABs find it hard to adapt their expansiveness.
 
Tana became that leader in the last two years and if Graham Henry totally changes the team strategy, then the World Cup can be won. Seems not to be.
 
But, playing with flair and expansiveness is the best thing for any sport. I will rejoice in the continuing thrill of imaginative play from the 'Beautiful All Blacks', as my French friends call them. Who cares about the World Cup - a trophy too dour to play for.
- Ron Layton

Surely the greatest captain never to win hoist a Rugby World Cup. Why he quit just 18 months shy of his destiny is beyond us mere mortals.
- Matt Richards, New Zealand