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'Huge
inspiration': Tana Umaga
Photo: Michael Paler |
Toulon flanker and FRC columnist Joe El Abd
this week talks about the incredible atmosphere of the Stade
Félix Mayol, Christian Loamanu's horrific injury and the
prospect of Tana Umaga returning to the playing field in the
closing stages of the season.
I
mentioned
in my last blog how Toulon
are never too far from the headlines with regards to all the
incoming transfers for next season. Well, over the past
couple of weeks Toulon have hit the headlines again, but
this time for a number of different reasons.
Top 14 Transfers 2010/11
Firstly,
last Friday night saw the team
beat table- topping Castres 19-6 at
the Stade Félix Mayol. The atmosphere on the
night was even more electrifying than normal and the win
puts us in a strong position to achieve an all-important top
six finish and a place in the end of season play-offs.
The
great win however, was marred by a serious injury to our
Japanese/Tongan winger Christian Loamanu. Upon being tackled
five metres from the line he suffered a dislocated hip – an
injury normally only seen in serious car accidents. The
injury again highlighted what the current players are
putting themselves through and I am sure everyone reading
this wishes him a speedy recovery. He has probably been our
player of the season so far and he will be sorely missed.
Top 14 Table 2008/9
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Top 14 Transfers
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ProD2 Transfers
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Top 14
Fixtures 2009/10
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The next
two stories that hit the headlines surrounded our coach and
former All Blacks skipper Tana Umaga. Firstly, it was
officially revealed that he will be
leaving us at the end of the season to
take up a post at Counties-Manukau in New Zealand
as a player coach. Rumours surrounding his exit have been
around for a while but it still came as a bit of a shock
when it was finally announced. I can’t speak more highly of
him as a coach and I am sure that one day he will go on and
manage the All Blacks. The best players don’t always make
the best coaches but in Tana's case he hasn’t just relied on
his raw playing talents. He is a student of the game which I
think all the best coaches are and this aligned with the
instant respect he commands gives him the complete package.
The
second story surrounding Tana was the possibility of him
being re-signed as a ‘medical joker’ as cover for our winger
Christian Loamanu. While the news of him leaving cannot be
read as good news for Toulon, the possibility of him
retaking the field can’t be described as anything other than
exciting. Having spoken to some of the players who played
with him last season it's clear that he would be a huge
inspiration to the team. The question I guess that most
people will be asking is whether at 36 he will still be able
to play to the level everyone remembers of him?
Well,
from his performances in training it is clear that he hasn’t
lost it. He often takes part when we play conditioned games
of touch and it’s rare that he plays on the losing team.
However, I must say that this is in no small part due to the
fact that he bends the rules more than most No 7’s I’ve
either played with or against!
In
addition to his undoubted skill level in touch, it’s clear
that he still has the physical attributes to compete at the
highest level of the game. A couple of weeks ago he joined
in when we did some hill runs and made everyone sick when he
lead his group in seven out of the seven runs. It’s clear
that he is what we call a ‘closet’ trainer. As for the
contact side of the game, I can only imagine the level of
intensity that he would bring. When he played he was feared
for his ball carrying ability and he was also one of the
best players in the world at the breakdown. He coaches the
team in the contact area and he has managed to take us all
onto another level in this facet of the game.
So the
answer to the question is a resounding 'Yes, he does still
have it'. So, are the rumours going to become a reality? As
they say there is no smoke without fire and I am sure that
the club and Tana are currently exploring the possibility of
making it happen. Only time will tell but the fact that he
has taken a player-coach role next season would suggest that
he still has the hunger as a player. In fact what I would
like to know are the odds of Tana Umaga making the next
World Cup in his home country? I know where my money would
be. Just remember you heard it here first!
Previous columns:
01.03.10 -
'Boudjellal is chasing Williams hard, and he usually gets his man'
11.02.10 -
Siege mentality will help England, but France are still my
favourites
08.12.09 -
'I see the Top 14 play-off race going all the way down the
last game'
24.11.09 -
'Gym-monkeys, IPGs and the pain of being sidelined by injury'
04.11.09 -
Star turns and the glamour play - how to judge a performance
27.10.09 -
Why I relish the role of 'gratteur', and the key to back row success
21.10.09 -
'My brothers think I'm mad when they see all my rugby scars'
07.10.09 -
'I keep telling them Rovigo is not Rome, but they're still excited'
28.09.09 -
'The three-part conundrum of winning
away in France'
22.09.09 -
'There's more to Jonny than just kicking'
14.09.09 -
Lesson number 1 - 'Pas de melée,
pas de victoire'
08.09.09 -
'The money's good, but so is the
weather, the rugby and the
crowds'
