Umaga-Jensen's solo flight

Uncle Tana did it many times. So did twin brother Peter, last season. Now it's Thomas Umaga-Jensen's turn to trot onto Westpac Stadium as a Wellington Lion, and he'll savour every footstep.

The 19-year-old will wear jersey No 12 on debut for Wellington in Wednesday night's Mitre 10 Cup match against Hawke's Bay, a year after Peter made his debut in Napier.

The family's newest Lion won't be joined in the 23 by his brother who is still recovering from shoulder surgery. But with mother Rachael Umaga and father Tony Jensen - a former hard-running Wainuiomata club stalwart - proudly watching on, it will be a memorable night for all concerned.

"It's a pretty good coincidence. My brother's first game was against Hawke's Bay too. For me to do the same is pretty special for my mum and dad who are avid fans of Wellington Lions so I'm honouring them by going out there," Thomas Umaga-Jensen said.

"Also my uncle, Tana, he made a legend of himself for the Lions. Just to make my family proud, I can't wait to run out there for the first time on Westpac and play some good footy."

Wednesday's match will mark exactly two years since the Umaga-Jensen twins suffered a narrow defeat in the national schools' final for Scots College against Rotorua Boys' High School.

Thomas then sought a change of scene in Dunedin to study geography and education at Otago University, and played for the University club. He underwent hip injury late last year, and made the New Zealand Under-20 squad and the Highlanders' wider group, which will lure him south again to try and crack Super Rugby.

"I'm heading back down and I'll try to build my way up there and see what I can do. It works out well for my studies down there; in Dunedin for the first part of the season and back here to play for Wellington."

And, potentially an on-field reunion with his twin who helped him carve up schoolboy defences for Scots, which saw them share the 2014 national title. They turn 20 on New Year's Eve.

"He's always pushed me to do my best and I've always pushed him to do his best. Hopefully next year, if I'm still in the team, we'll get to play alongside each other again and create some magic."

Thomas showed his class in a Swindale Shield cameo for Wainuiomata in April, a 42-40 defeat to Marist St Pat's. He impressed Wellington coach Chris Gibbes with his fitness and work ethic and will slot comfortably into a backline between Jackson Garden-Bachop and Hurricane Wes Goosen.

"I'm not looking for superstars; I just want him [Umaga-Jensen] to do his job. If he does that he's shown he's got a massive amount of talent. If he creates space for others and takes his little opportunities then I'll be happy," Gibbes said.

Wellington hadn't beaten Hawke's Bay in four years, till their 36-26 victory in Napier last August. But the unbeaten Lions will be pronounced favourites this time, even without All Blacks squad members Vaea Fifita and Jeff To'omaga-Allen, and rested forwards Brad Shields and Sam Lousi, from their clinical 31-10 win over Bay of Plenty last Thursday.

The Magpies are amid an injury crisis which worsened after Friday's 53-10 defeat to Canterbury, and saw captain and hooker Ash Dixon, first five-eighth Ihaia West and No 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu'u all ruled out of the trip to Wellington.

Also missing is new Hurricanes recruit Gareth Evans and veteran prop Ben May, although coach Craig Philpott named US Eagle Tony Lamborn at No 8 after a shoulder problem.

Tiaan Falcon, a NZ Under-20 team-mate of Umaga-Jensen's, will steer the ship at first-five.

AT A GLANCE

What: Mitre 10 Cup, week four

Where and when: Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7.35pm Wednesday

​Wellington: Andrew Wells, Julian Savea, Wes Goosen, Thomas Umaga-Jensen, Ben Lam, Jackson Garden-Bachop, Sheridan Rangihuna, Teariki Ben-Nicholas, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Galu Taufale, James Blackwell (captain), Isaia Walker-Leawere, Alex Fidow, Asafo Aumua, Tolu Fahamokioa. Reserves: Sitiveni Paongo, Vince Sakaria, Joe Apikotoa, Will Mangos, James Tuiatua, Kemara Hauiti-Parapara, Dan Kirkpatrick, Malo Tuitama.​

Hawke's Bay: Richard Buckman, Jonah Lowe, Hayden Hann, Cardiff Vaega, Sam McNicol, Tiaan Falcon, Brad Weber (captain), Tony Lamborn, Hugh Renton, Lucas Goodin, Geoff Cridge, Nick Palmer, Jarvy Aoake, Jacob Devery, Mark Braidwood. Reserves: Jorian Tangaere, Jason Long, Pouri Rakete-Stones, Joshua Eden-Whaitiri, Fa'alemiga Selesele, Ricky Hayes, Chris Eaton, Dan Snee.

 

 

Photo by: ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Caption: Exactly two years after playing in Scots College's national final defeat to Rotorua Boys' High School, Thomas Umaga-Jensen will make his Wellington NPC debut.