The former All Black captain Tana Umaga has played his first game of rugby in New Zealand in more than three years, turning out for Countries-Manukau in a pre-season match against Auckland.
The 37-year-old played the first 40 minutes at second-five in a 33-all draw at Trusts Stadium in West Auckland.
Umaga's returned from Toulon in France to help boost the young Counties-Manukau backline and enhance his coaching credentials as Milton Haig's assistant.