SKINS sign Tana Umaga

SKINS sign Tana Umaga

29 March 2011

Leading compression garment supplier SKINS have signed one of the most respected players in world rugby Tana Umaga.

The former All Black was the first New Zealander to receive the Pierre de Coubertin Trophy for Fair Play for attending to the injured Colin Charvis of Wales during a Test at Hamilton. In 2004 Umaga became the first New Zealander of Samoan heritage to captain the All Blacks in a Test, and in 2005 he became the fourth player to bring up 100 Super 12 caps.

After 74 Test caps (where he scored 36 tries), Umaga retired from international rugby in 2005 but continued to play for the Wellington Lions. He moved to France in 2007 to take up a position as player/coach at Toulon.

Umaga returned to New Zealand and last year signed with Counties Manaukau as a player/coach and was then signed by the Chiefs super rugby franchise for 2011, his first taste of super rugby since 2007.

"It is just fantastic to have a sports person of Tana's mana and standing working with our product range," Brandex Adventure Sports, which imports Skins, Outdoor Director David Watt said.

"He is such an iconic sports person with strong values that relate very well to our brand and we have no doubt the relationship is going to be fantastic."

Umaga says he is looking forward to working with SKINS and Brandex as he has been a fan of SKINS and compression gear for some time.

"I've had challenges with cramping in my calves and find wearing SKINS really helps stop that and wearing them after games really helps with my recovery," he said.

"I'm also really happy that Brandex and SKINS are committed to supporting the younger players at Counties Manakau which is very important; it means a lot to me and will mean loads for these young guys."

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