Tana Umaga on a path for redemption at Tens
All Blacks legend and coach of all-star BGC Dragons wants to get back in the winner’s circle
All Blacks legend Tana Umaga is determined to complete some “unfinished business” at this year’s GFI HKFC Tens.
He tasted victory two years ago coaching BGC Dragons but they lost to Penguins in the quarters last year, and that rankles.
The path to redemption was on course on Wednesday with the all-star BGC Dragons setting up a Cup quarter-final with fourth seeds Borneo Eagles on Thursday, after beating newcomers JML IRANZ 17-7 to top pool C.
Fijian Apisalome Waqatabu scored two tries in the decisive group match between the third and sixth seeds at Hong Kong Football Club.
I’m proud of our players. I can’t say enough about them, about how much grit they showed. They’re fired up
Umaga's second-string team, the Carinat Dragons, also topped their group after a surprise 12-12 draw with second seeds Samurai in the final pool B match, with the seventh seeds topping the standings after scoring more tries during the day.
"We finished first so that's what we were looking for. Actually, both our sides finished top, so we're very happy, as that was our aim," said Umaga, whose BGC Dragons earlier beat Newedge and Lloyd McDermott Warriors.
