Umaga's French fling given all clear

The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) yesterday granted former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga a temporary release to play for French club Toulon.

NZRU professional players' manager Steve Lancaster said the NZRU had finalised details of Umaga's release, including indemnity provisions.

Lancaster said it was the first time in the professional era that the NZRU had agreed to a temporary release for a player.

"We agreed to Tana's request because he has given exemplary service to the All Blacks, the Hurricanes and Wellington for more than a decade and is committed to seeing out his playing days in New Zealand."

Umaga's release period is from the end of the Air New Zealand Cup in October until early January when the Hurricanes assemble for pre-season Super 14 training.

Umaga, 33, said he was looking forward to the opportunity to live in a different country and experience a different culture with his family.

"We have never wanted to live overseas fulltime and have always wanted to raise and school our children in New Zealand, so we are very fortunate to have the opportunity to travel for a short period of time.

"I have travelled extensively through my career but to now have the opportunity to travel with my family is wonderful," he said.

Second division club Toulon confirmed Umaga's signing last week, when Toulon general manager Alain Teixidor said "he is the best player in the world and his arrival at Toulon will be beneficial to us".

- NZPA