Umaga reacts to 'comic' Toulon boss
Thu, 09 Oct 2008 11:05
Ahead of Toulon's Euro Challenge Cup opener against the Northampton Saints, All Black legend Tana Umaga spoke of impeding coaching pressures and working under their eccentric comic-book millionaire boss.
With Toulon currently lying low in 11th position on the Top 14 points table after seven games, Umaga has come under increased scrutiny by Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal - a multimillionaire publisher who has fast become one of the largest characters in European rugby.
The outspoken Boudjellal is deemed to have spent in the region of $30US million on securing high profile players - players who Umaga in turn has admitted he didn't even know the club was signing.
"There's been quite a few of them," Umaga told the Guardian.
"Let's just say the president is not backward in coming forward and speaking his mind. He does what he does and we've just got to live with it, for now."
Last month, Boudjellal was guilty an angered public outcry in light of his club's mis-firing fortunes, stating that fault would lie solely with the coaches should his team finish between eighth and 10th position.
"Our pack has been going backwards for two years and I am fed up with it," Boudjellal said.
"People ask me for players, but I can't buy the best in the world for every position. I have been staying away from everything for a while, but it is high time that this club remembers it has a boss."
While Boudjellal has committed himself to Toulon for at least three years, he has certainly shown that he will not tolerate second-best, demanding due success from his hefty supply of cash.
"You'd hope it is sustainable but it comes down to the decisions of one man," Umaga said.
"He said he's going to stick around for three years and we've got to hope that's right."
