A crowded Westpac Stadium in Wellington witnessed one of the great moments in rugby this afternoon.
11 August 2007
Tana Umaga
A crowded Westpac Stadium in Wellington witnessed one of the great moments in rugby this afternoon.
Tana Umaga bowed out of the game in New Zealand, with his Wellington side beating Manawatu. There was a standing ovation for the former All Black captain, and a farewell from the hometown crowd and the Wellington mayor.
This was Umaga's 100th and final appearance for Wellington, where he has been based for 14 years. He is leaving to take up a coaching position at Toulon in France.
Wellington eased out to a 37-7 bonus point win over the Manawatu Turbos, bouncing back from last weekend's loss to Hawkes Bay.
Umaga had one last message for his fans. He said all he can say is thank you for supporting him, his family and the Wellington rugby team. He has been honoured with the renaming of an access way: aisle 13 is now Tana Umaga Aisle, identified with his Number 13 Wellington team jersey hanging at its entrance.
