Umaga signs for Wasps
NEWS: Wasps announced that Academy graduate Jacob Umaga has signed a new first-team deal.
Umaga was one of eight Senior Academy players to graduate into the first-team set-up last summer and has been in impressive form in the early stages of the 2019/20 campaign – including a 12-point haul in his man-of-the-match display in last Saturday’s win over at Agen in the European Challenge Cup.
Umaga, the son of ex-Samoa star Mike and nephew of former All Black Tana, has scored five tries and racked up 72 points in his 13 first-team appearances to date, while he also shone for Wasps A in the Premiership Rugby Shield last season, racking up 82 points in his seven outings, which included three tries, 26 conversions and five penalties.
The 21-year-old, who has also played at full-back, regularly featured for Yorkshire Carnegie in last season’s Championship, following a spell with Auckland in New Zealand where he was part of the side that won the Mitre 10 Cup in 2018.
The youngster, who has represented England Under 18s and 20s, also helped Wasps reach a sixth consecutive Premiership 7s final in September, where he broke the record for the most points in a single competition – with 61 accrued over the two days.
🎥 “He looked very accomplished at 10, both in attack and defence. His kicking game was excellent.”
Dai praises the recent form of @jacob_umaga98… pic.twitter.com/tczY7Xmfws
— Wasps Rugby (@WaspsRugby) November 26, 2019
Wasps Director of Rugby Dai Young said: “Jacob has gone from strength to strength in the past year, gaining some valuable experience in New Zealand and in the Championship before putting in some quality displays for us in the A League.
“He’s worked really hard on his game and is now challenging both Lima [Sopoaga] and Billy [Searle] for the number ten jersey – and that competition across the squad is exactly what you want.
“He is still very young and has a lot of room for growth. We’re pleased he’s committed his future to the Club and hopefully we can help him realise his full potential over the coming years to become a top-end Premiership player.”
Umaga said: “I’m over the moon to sign a new deal. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Wasps so far, coming through the Academy and into the first-team while making a lot of good friends.
“It’s been great to learn from experienced players like Lima and Jimmy (Gopperth) and being able to tap into their knowledge has been hugely beneficial for me.
“It’s awesome that a number of the guys who I’ve been close with in the Academy have graduated into the first-team too, as we’re a tight group, and hopefully we can all drive standards and continue playing together at the Club for a long time to come.”
