Rugby: Motivated Tana energises team

Tana Umaga. Photo / Getty Images

By the time Tana Umaga left New Zealand in 2007, the spark had gone.

He had had enough. The body could cope, even at 34, but his mind wasn't so willing.

It is now - and that's one of the principal reasons Counties Manukau are today top of the ITM Cup table. It's a bizarre thought, Counties and top four, but there's a growing belief they will become more common bedfellows. If not top four, then at least the all-important top seven.

It's doubtful Counties would be so well positioned without Umaga. Their squad is virtually the same as that which finished 14th last season - 13th the year before and 14th the year before that.

While that can translate into a young, inexperienced team becoming a more mature side, the one notable addition has had a massive influence. The 37-year-old former All Blacks captain is playing with the zest of a man 10 years younger.

He was brilliant last weekend against Southland, when Counties came close to lifting the Ranfurly Shield for the first time in their 55-year history, and clearly inspires those around him.

In many ways, however, his team-mates enthuse him.

"I am re-energised," Umaga says. "When I left New Zealand, I had had enough. I had been in the game a long time and it was hard to get motivated.

"If I'm not motivated and not doing things for the right reasons, I believe I am letting people down. Finding that fire again was important.

"People say you are a long time retired, but you also have to be honest with yourself. It was hard to get up. I had no motivation and I was probably cutting corners towards the end.

"I'm a proud person and am proud of what I have achieved. The last thing I want to do is be someone who just gave up towards the end. That's why I bowed out at that time.

"I have been in France and had a couple of years away from playing but the body is still good. I tested myself out [in France] and thought, 'if I can foot it over here, I am sure I can foot it in most places'. The opportunity came up to come back home and coach. This is the best place to further my coaching career. They also asked me to play. I thought, 'why not?'

"These young guys are keeping me young as well. I am enthusiastic about training. Everyone keeps giving me a hard time but I tell them, 'I might be 37, but I am still doing it'."

Much like the work he is doing with Counties. There is an optimism that hasn't existed for years. It's doubtful the phenomenon would have had the same effect in a metropolitan area.

Crowds are up 2000 on last season, the union's Facebook page has attracted more members in the past two weeks than it had before the season and Pukekohe even had a dress-your-shop-window competition. Everyone is talking about Counties and Tana.

Umaga's season will be managed. He had a "holiday" in round two, and there will be games he doesn't last the distance. But a part-time Tana Umaga, and a highly motivated one, is still a powerful tool.