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Jacob Umaga may be in the middle of pre-season slog, but the Benetton flyhalf has a new lease of life that he will ride into the new season.
The 27-year-old won his first Samoa cap over the European close season, when he lined up to face Scotland in Auckland, and he has already scored his first points when he converted Duncan Paia'aua’s try.
Umaga previously won an England cap under Eddie Jones in 2021, but he qualifies through heritage, and his father Mike Umaga who won 13 caps for Samoa.
NEW COLOURS, NEW BOSS
“My first time with the Samoa national team was fantastic,” he said. “I played with some teammates I'd met while playing for the Auckland team. Reuniting with these teammates was fantastic, and I'm happy to have played at such an international level.
“When I was younger, my dream was to play for Samoa. My father represented Samoa 20 years ago. So, I'm very proud and happy to have represented these colours and thus represented my father and my family.”
As well as Umaga’s choice of national team, there has been plenty of change for Benetton before the United Rugby Championship (URC) season kicks off at the end of September.
The Italian club are away to Connacht on the opening weekend when Calum MacRae will lead them for the first time after he succeeded Marco Bortolami as head coach.
PLAYOFF PURSUIT
Umaga is likely to be Benetton’s first choice flyhalf after Argentina flyhalf Tomas Albornoz joined Toulon, and the team is aiming to return to the URC playoffs after missing out last season, something reflected in their preseason.
“We're all back together with the group and we want to consolidate as a team, knowing that we'll have to be ready for the first league match against Connacht.” Umaga said.
“At Benetton Rugby, we want to advance as far as possible in the league, aiming to reach the URC playoffs. We also want to extend our run in the Challenge Cup as far as possible. I believe we have the ability to do so. In the meantime, the most important thing for us is to focus on the start of the season.”