Mike Umaga
Encyclopedia
Mike Umaga is a former Samoa
n rugby union
international and brother of former New Zealand rugby union Captain Tana Umaga
. He played his brother Tana Umaga
on one occasion losing 13 - 71.
Umaga moved to England
in 1995 and played two seasons of rugby league
with Halifax
. However, shortly after rugby union
turned professional, he switched codes, joining Rotherham
in 1997 as player/coach.
He made his on-field debut on January 17, 1998, and in six seasons with the club played 133 games (started 130), scoring 38 tries, 85 conversions & 69 penalties for a total of 567 points. He jointly holds the club record for most conversions in a single match (10 v Waterloo on March 11, 2000) He played his last game for Rotherham on May 8, 2004 against Newcastle Falcons
. Umaga scored one try in the 20-26 loss, which was the final game of the Zurich Premiership 2003/2004 season. Rotherham were relegated, without winning a single match in the campaign.
In July 2004, Umaga signed with Coventry R.F.C.
, initially as the backs coach, becoming the assistant coach in September 2004 and the head coach in April 2005. However, his time there ended in controversy when he was suspended by the club for unspecified "serious allegations" on 14 November 2006. He resigned less than two weeks later. He subsequently launched a case at against Coventry RFC at an employment tribunal for breach of contract and constructive unfair dismissal
. In 2007, the tribunal found in his favour and awarded him £38,000.
Following his departure from this post, he signed as player/coach for local team Kenilworth
R.F.C., making his debut on 13 January 2007 in a 20-6 away victory against Camp Hill in Midlands Division 2 (West). He played in only six games, but coached the team to promotion into Midlands Division 1 for the 2007/2008 season.
Umaga is now the new head coach of Nuneaton R.F.C.
, losing his first match in charge, a pre-season friendly against Newbury
, by a score of 22-37.
He also coaches rugby at Warwick School
, training the backs of the 1st XV. also he now coaches coventry university, and has just been awarded the prestigious post of coach at the University of Birmingham
.
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
international and brother of former New Zealand rugby union Captain Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
. He played his brother Tana Umaga
Tana Umaga
Jonathan Ionatana Falefasa "Tana" Umaga, ONZM is a New Zealand rugby union footballer and former captain of the national team, the All Blacks. He played for the Hurricanes starting with the Super 12's inception in 1996 and took over the captaincy in 2003...
on one occasion losing 13 - 71.
Umaga moved to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in 1995 and played two seasons of rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
with Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
. However, shortly after rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
turned professional, he switched codes, joining Rotherham
Rotherham R.U.F.C.
Rotherham Rugby Union Football Club, or Rotherham Titans are a professional rugby union team from Rotherham, Yorkshire, currently playing in the English RFU Championship-History:...
in 1997 as player/coach.
He made his on-field debut on January 17, 1998, and in six seasons with the club played 133 games (started 130), scoring 38 tries, 85 conversions & 69 penalties for a total of 567 points. He jointly holds the club record for most conversions in a single match (10 v Waterloo on March 11, 2000) He played his last game for Rotherham on May 8, 2004 against Newcastle Falcons
Newcastle Falcons
The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
. Umaga scored one try in the 20-26 loss, which was the final game of the Zurich Premiership 2003/2004 season. Rotherham were relegated, without winning a single match in the campaign.
In July 2004, Umaga signed with Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
, initially as the backs coach, becoming the assistant coach in September 2004 and the head coach in April 2005. However, his time there ended in controversy when he was suspended by the club for unspecified "serious allegations" on 14 November 2006. He resigned less than two weeks later. He subsequently launched a case at against Coventry RFC at an employment tribunal for breach of contract and constructive unfair dismissal
Unfair dismissal
Unfair dismissal is the term used in UK labour law to describe an employer's action when terminating an employee's employment contrary to the requirements of the Employment Rights Act 1996...
. In 2007, the tribunal found in his favour and awarded him £38,000.
Following his departure from this post, he signed as player/coach for local team Kenilworth
Kenilworth
Kenilworth is a town in central Warwickshire, England. In 2001 the town had a population of 22,582 . It is situated south of Coventry, north of Warwick and northwest of London....
R.F.C., making his debut on 13 January 2007 in a 20-6 away victory against Camp Hill in Midlands Division 2 (West). He played in only six games, but coached the team to promotion into Midlands Division 1 for the 2007/2008 season.
Umaga is now the new head coach of Nuneaton R.F.C.
Nuneaton R.F.C.
Nuneaton RFC is an English rugby union club. They were founded in 1879 and play at Liberty Way in Nuneaton. They currently play in National League 2 North.-History:...
, losing his first match in charge, a pre-season friendly against Newbury
Newbury R.F.C.
Newbury Rugby Football Club are a rugby union club representing Newbury. For season 2011/12 they will be playing in National League 3 South West.-Current standings:...
, by a score of 22-37.
He also coaches rugby at Warwick School
Warwick School
Warwick School is an independent school with boarding facilities for boys in Warwick, England, and is reputed to be the third-oldest surviving school in the country after King's School, Canterbury and St Peter's School, York; and the oldest boy's school in England...
, training the backs of the 1st XV. also he now coaches coventry university, and has just been awarded the prestigious post of coach at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
.