Umaga's Blues taking shape
Unlike his predecessor, John Kirwan, Umaga has some very clear ideas about the players he is likely to use in the key positions in his team.
Top of the list is flyhalf, followed closely by the midfield.
Ihaia West looks to be in pole position to start in the pivotal No.10 jersey, with a midfield of George Moala and Rene Ranger earmarked to be the centre combination.
West, who turns 24 on Saturday, last year competed with Simon Hickey and Dan Bowden at flyhalf.
However, the latter pair have signed with offshore clubs after being deemed by Umaga as surplus to requirements.
While West played well in patches, he will want to play a more dominant role in 2016 and an early endorsement from Umaga should help.
This year West will be vying with the inexperienced Matt McGahon and Piers Francis for the No.10 jersey, and the expectation is for him to take control on and off the field.
"Ihaia West is the guy who has been in Super Rugby for three years," Umaga told the New Zealand Herald.
"I was very impressed with him in last year's NPC.
"The growing of Ihaia [could be seen] in that kick to win the game," Umaga said of a touchline conversion by West that saw Hawke's Bay beat Wellington to win promotion from the NPC Championship to the Premiership.
"Some people have had issues with Ihaia's mental temperament – being able to handle pressure situations.
"I just thought his game had grown in the NPC Cup.
"He is the senior 10 there so it's his job to lose at the moment… but everything's open."
Midfield has also been a serious issue for the Blues in recent seasons.
Francis Saili, Pita Ahki and Hamish Northcott were used under John Kirwan – and are now no longer with the Blues.
This year, it should be the George Moala and Rene Ranger show – provided, that is, Ranger is fit.
Ranger, returning from a two-year stint in France, could be a major asset.
The 29-year-old All Black remains on the comeback trail from neck surgery, which kept him out of the NPC with North Harbour and continues to restrict him from resuming contact.
While Umaga doesn't have a definitive return timeframe, he is confident Ranger will play a key role for the Blues this year.
"He wants to do everything but he can't," Umaga told stuff.co.nz.
"He's doing all the running and he looks fitter than I thought. It's just us coping with his sharp mouth…
"He's motivated and he's come back for a reason. A motivated Rene Ranger is a lot better than an unmotivated one. He knows what doing well with the Blues could lead to.
"I'm advised by the medical team. He looks good to me. Rene thinks he is 100 per cent but I won't push him. It's about being sensible and giving him every chance to achieve his goals. The last thing we want is to have an angry Rene Ranger running around because he's got a sore neck.
"I honestly don't know when he's going to be back."
Umaga is certain Ranger and Moala, both of whom are also dangerous on the wing, can form a lethal combination.
"They both see themselves as midfielders. They're pretty good, too.
"We realised they'll be a big package if we can get them on the field together. We've got outside backs that can complement them and work off what they can deliver.
"I know George is renowned for his power but he's very skilful. Ranger is similar.
"We've never played them together before. This is the hard thing; I don't know when Rene is back so when will we get a chance to trial that? Is it in the preseason or if he can't get back we'll have to see it somewhere else.
"In a perfect world we'd have them back and get some game time prior to the first game [on February 26]. Even at training they run well together in the non-contact stuff but when there's heat on from everyone do they refer back to type and the wingers will get cold?
"We can only answer that once we give them a bit of time together."
Sources: NZ Herald & Stuff.co.nz
