Umaga says 'wait and see' on retirement talk

Tana Umaga

EDINBURGH - Tana Umaga dodged snowballs outside Murrayfield today then offered more nimble footwork to reports that tomorrow would be his last rugby test for the All Blacks.

Umaga would neither confirm nor deny as the New Zealand Herald reported conclusively, without attribution, that he was set to retire from international rugby but continue playing Super 14.

"There's always speculation -- 50-50 (per cent of people) think I'll stay or go. You'll just have to wait and see," Umaga said a day out from his 74th test and 21st as captain, against Scotland.

Given the chance to end the speculation, Umaga said he would "leave it to you guys (media)".

The Herald reported that the pressures of international rugby on Umaga's 32-year-old body were too much to bear for another two years heading into World Cup 2007, and that he and coach Graham Henry could see no compromise.

There was no further comment from the All Blacks, and tomorrow's post-match press conference will be awaited with interest.

Umaga has been named in the Hurricanes squad for next year's Super 14, and said he was supportive of Henry's call to give top All Blacks two or three games off in the inaugural competition.

After a long season, Umaga did admit tiredness was a factor and he was looking forward to a holiday.

Umaga has had a bumper year but on this tour hasn't appeared his happy-go-lucky self as controversy raged in Britain and Ireland over the Brian O'Driscoll spear tackle and the All Blacks haka.

The All Blacks are shooting for their 11th win from 12 tests and have beaten the Lions, pocketed the Tri-Nations trophy and Bledisloe Cup, and sit on the cusp of just their second Grand Slam.

Today as an Arctic blast covered Edinburgh in snow, the All Blacks had their only look at Murrayfield and were pleased with what they saw ahead of the tour finale against Scotland (3.30am NZT).

"It's a very important game for us. There is the Grand Slam and a few young guys who have come on this tour and are trying to make their mark," Umaga said.

"It's up to us to make the game a positive one."

The 67,000-capacity Murrayfield surface was in excellent order, helped by the high tech underground heaters which stop any ice forming on the grass.

A fine but bitterly cold day is forecast tomorrow, with Umaga saying gloves and thermal vests would be likely on-field apparel.

The morning snowfall was over when the All Blacks strolled around the ground and pivot Nick Evans practised his goalkicking.

Snowball-throwing was the extent of their exertions today.

Umaga said the prospect of a Grand Slam had been "made easier for the fact we have been focusing on each game as an important game.

"This one is no different. We can't go out there and expect things to happen.

"We have to play the game we have been practising for the last four weeks."

After some laboured backplay against England, there should be plenty of front foot ball to play with tomorrow to unleash an electric back three of Joe Rokocoko, Rico Gear and debutante Isaia Toeava.

Scotland, who struggled home 18-11 over Samoa last weekend, also favour an open, running game and may well punch above their weight before a predicted crowd of 45,000.

"They enjoy playing against us. They know everyone is counting them out, and that's dangerous for us," Umaga said.

"They have nothing to lose in everyone's eyes and we do."

Just four of tomorrow's starting 15 have played the All Blacks before -- wing Chris Paterson, loose forwards Simon Taylor and Jason White and experienced lock Scott Murray.

That was in 2001, the two teams' last meeting, which the All Blacks won 37-6 here.

Umaga, Richie McCaw, Chris Jack and Anton Oliver are the only survivors from that game in tomorrow's starting 15.

All players had got through training without incident this week, with halfback Piri Weepu suffering a minor hip flexor injury which had responded well to treatment and wasn't expected to hinder him tomorrow.

- NZPA