Former AB Tana Umaga laces up boots again

Tana Umaga returning to NZ

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Counties-Manukau will get an early insight into the playing form of their star signing Tana Umaga with the former All Blacks captain set to play for French club Toulon before returning to New Zealand.

An injury crisis has forced Umaga, the assistant coach, into action again.

He will go back to where he started his All Blacks career, playing on the wing for Toulon after Christian Loamanu dislocated his hip, ending his season.

Toulon tried unsuccessfully to negotiate an early release from English club Wasps for wing Paul Sackey who is due to play in France next season.

So they have gone back to the veteran Umaga to fill the gap at the business end of the season.

Umaga is set to front Bourgain this week as Toulon seek to secure a place in the Top 14 playoffs and a coveted place in next season's Heineken Cup.

The 36-year-old Umaga hasn't played this season, concentrating on his coaching duties although he has trained regularly with the team to keep in shape.

He played nine matches for Toulon last year, helping them fight off relegation threats and this season the club has transformed into title contenders.

Umaga intends to play for Counties-Manukau in this year's ITM Cup, New Zealand’s national championship. He is likely to be used as a centre.

His move back to New Zealand was confirmed last week. He will also help assist Counties-Manukau coach Milton Haig.

Umaga's departure from Toulon comes as the club retain their strong Kiwi connection by signing former All Blacks prop Carl Hayman.

- © Fairfax NZ News