British and Irish Lions tour: Tana Umaga on Pasifika team, Brian O’Driscoll tackle

They are more “random online messages” than in-your-face abuse two decades on. But there are still British and Irish Lions fans who won’t let Tana Umaga forget his role in a spear tackle controversy.

All Blacks legend Tana Umaga believes the First Nations & Pasifika team concept can become a permanent fixture for future Lions tours in Australia and New Zealand.

Umaga, assistant coach of the inaugural invitational team to play the Lions in Melbourne on July 22, says it is up to this side to set the tone for what can become a must-watch game each time the touring side is on either side of the Tasman.

“I take my hat off to the ARU (Rugby Australia) for putting on a game like this and acknowledging the First Nations and Pasifika players, obviously there was a space that needed to be filled up, and I’m sure they had plenty of options,” Umaga told Code Sports.

“This is a great opportunity for our cultures to showcase themselves and also, a crop of players that might not have got another chance against a side like this.

Moana Pasifika coach Tana Umaga.

“That opens eyes for the coaches as well and another opportunity for these players to stake a claim for higher honours. That’s what you want to do.

“You still want to be uplifting of the players, but also the players understand that they’re uplifting their cultures and those that are coming behind them. When you’ve got a strong purpose like that, the key is to make sure that translates into the performance on the field.

“I hope this carries on. And again, that’s something that’s in our hands, in this group’s hands. If we can show a good count of ourselves, then it does make everyone, ‘Oh, is there another opportunity for this team to come together?’ And we’d hope it does.”

The Maori All Blacks have often faced the Lions in New Zealand, but with the country’s rich history of producing Pasifika All Blacks stars including Umaga, Jonah Lomu, Richie Mo’unga and Ardie Savea, it would be an easy team to put together when the Lions next tour there in 2029.

This First Nations & Pasifika side’s head coach, Toutai Kefu, will unveil the team’s jersey in Melbourne on Thursday.

Andy Muirhead is set to feature.

The team is set to feature a number of stars including Brumbies winger Andy Muirhead, a proud Indigenous man.

As part of the coaching staff, Umaga will reprise his hot-and-cold relationship with Lions fans, who were furious with him after the controversial tackle on Irish legend Brian O’Driscoll in the 2005 series put him out of the series in the opening minutes.

“No one hits me up on the streets, you don’t have to do that anymore, it’s just the random messages online,” Umaga said.

“It just shows you how passionate people are and what it means to them — this game, this team. And these things happen, and no one’s forgot about it.”

A British and Irish Lions fan holds up a sign complaining of NZ All Blacks captain Tana Umaga's tour ending tackle on Lions captain Brian O'Driscoll.

Brian O'Driscoll spear tackled by All Blacks Tana Umaga and Keven Mealamu.

Umaga and O’Driscoll buried the hatchet long ago.

“No doubt we’ll catch up for a Guinness when he’s in town,” Umaga said.

“We’ve caught up a few times over the years, and we have a bit of a laugh about it. Life’s too short to hold grudges.”

Umaga’s only focus now is ensuring the team leaves a lasting legacy.

“It’s acknowledgment of our people, it’s a first time and it’s a special game obviously that a team like this has been formed,” he said.

“And that’s a proud thing to be a part of. It’s the acknowledgment of those that have been before us and those that we represent, our family and loved ones, who got us to this stage to be able to be actually in a team like this that represents them.”

Originally published as British and Irish Lions tour: Tana Umaga on Pasifika team, Brian O’Driscoll tackle