Tana Umaga has confirmed he has been approached to help Dave Rennie coach the All Blacks.
Umaga made the admission after watching his Moana Pasifika team lose to the Blues 43-7 at Eden Park this afternoon. After a promising end to the first half for Moana, the Blues ran riot after the break and scored 28 unanswered points.
The 52-year-old former All Blacks captain distanced himself from a report from TVNZ presenter and writer Scotty Stevenson linking him with new All Blacks coach Rennie during the week but was more forthcoming to Sky Sports after the derby loss.
"I've been approached," Umaga said. "I've had a few chats with Dave Rennie in the last couple of days and... we're just going through that process at the moment so we'll see where that goes.
"I've got a job to do here at the moment. It's a great opportunity. Whether it comes to anything, that's got to be done. As I've just talked about, I've got a few issues of my own to sort with the team I love so much. I've got to make sure I do right for this club."
Clearly warned by Sky Sports that he would be asked about his All Blacks' ambitions, Umaga said the national team "held a piece of my heart".
"If I get that opportunity I'll do the best that I can to keep pushing the All Blacks jersey as far as we can because we want it at the top."
It is believed that it is only a formality that Umaga will be named as an All Blacks assistant alongside head coach Rennie.
However, discussions over the rest of Rennie's team with New Zealand Rugby may hold up the process.
Rennie has also been linked with Neil Barnes, Andrew Strawbridge and Mike Blair.
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