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Welsh legend Stephen Jones joins Tana Umaga at Moana Pasifika

06 Nov 2023

Stephen Jones assistant coach of Wales looks on prior to during the Rugby World Cup 2019 Quarter Final match between Wales and France at Oita Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Oita, Japan. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Welsh rugby legend Stephen Jones will join former All Black Tana Umaga in the Moana Pasifika coaching ranks next season, the New Zealand-based franchise confirmed on Tuesday morning.

Following the Crusaders announcement on Monday that Test centurion Leigh Halfpenny has signed on for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season, Jones is the second Welsh great to pen a deal down south.

Jones, 45, earned more than 100 Test caps as a player and is widely considered one of the greatest players in Welsh rugby history. Jones was also part of Warren Gatland’s coaching staff at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

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But after moving on from his role as Wales’ attack coach last year, Jones is set to embark on an exciting challenge as one of two newly appointed assistant coaches at the club for the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Additions at the helm 🔥
Read more: https://t.co/T9gAjfM9op 📖 pic.twitter.com/l8XccViZNA
— Moana Pasifika Rugby (@MoanaPasifika_) November 6, 2023

“I’m excited to join this organisation and I’m looking forward to the new challenges of the Super Rugby Pacific competition,” Jones said in a statement.

“I am excited to bring my perspective to the style of rugby played in the Pacific and the Southern Hemisphere and help the next crop of Pasifika talent flourish.”

There’s no denying Jones’ importance to Moana Pasifika ahead of the new campaign. Jones brings a fresh perspective and an attacking flair to the franchise which represents Samoa and Tonga.

Jones won a Six Nations Championship, a Welsh Premier Division title, a Celtic Division title and two tours with the British and Irish Lions as a player. That experience will be invaluable.

“He brings a different style of thought process to us as well as the necessary skillset for our attack and kicking strategy,” Head Coach Fa’alogo Tana Umaga added.

“He’ll also be able to develop our first five-eighths and game drivers which is crucial for not only Moana Pasifika but Samoa and Tonga as well.”

While Jones will look over the backs, Moana Pasifika has confirmed that world-class rugby guru Toaigaotumua Tom Coventry has been brought on as the forward’s coach.

The three-time Super Rugby champion has an impressive rugby resume which includes stints with the Blues, Chiefs, New Zealand Schools, New Zealand U20s and Manu Samoa. Coventry also spent four years as a Co-Head coach of a then-ITM Cup-winning Hawke’s Bay outfit.

“This is a great opportunity for me and I’m grateful to be part of the Moana Pasifika organisation,” Coventry said. “It’s exciting to be working with Tana as we commit ourselves to creating a very successful rugby franchise.

“Moana Pasifika are filled with extremely talented rugby players and I look forward to bringing out that potential and contributing to the team’s success.”

Comments

1 Comment

Utiku Old Boy 567 days ago

This is a very interesting signing and could be a boon to Pacifica rugby with a technical balance to their natural flair.

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 15 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 15 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 15 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

Solenn Bonnet 15 days ago

Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 15 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 15 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍