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MARSEILLE - Tana Umaga is set to play a role in the All Blacks' build-up to Sunday's test against France.
Coach Graham Henry said the invitation had been made to his former captain to join the team's preparations this week in Marseille.
Umaga doesn't have far to go to accept. He is in the early stages of a lucrative three-month contract with French second division club Toulon, less than an hour's drive away.
The last time the All Blacks were in France, Umaga led them to a famous 45-6 victory in Paris. He retired earlier this year but Henry said the 74-test veteran remained an inspirational figure to the current players.
"There's an invite for him to be involved with us to a limited extent," Henry said. "He won't probably play but it'll be good to see him, because he's held in very high regard by the guys. They find him motivational and it would be good if he could be here.
"We did discuss before he left home the opportunity of him coming here and then to Paris [ahead of the second test] and he was keen to do so if his commitments allowed."
Umaga may be free both weeks. The second division takes a break this weekend and Toulon have a match at Racing Metro in Paris the day after the test at Stade de France.
Umaga has been an instant hit at Toulon, where he has been made an honorary citizen. He scored a try with his first touch of the ball on debut against Ly and, in his second game last weekend, crossed for the winning try late against Dax to lift Toulon from seventh to fourth place.
The 33-year-old centre is on a contract reportedly worth €300,000 ($580,832) before he rejoins the Hurricanes for the Super 14 campaign.
He figures prominently on the club's website, with a photograph of him and interview dominating the home page.
- NZPA
