Umaga opens up: We must help each other

That was deep, Tana Umaga said almost in disbelief at what he had just discussed.

Team selections were the main point of focus as the Blues prepare to open another Super Rugby season in Melbourne tonight.

But at the tail end of a regular stand-up with Umaga, the former All Blacks captain turned Blues coach, a much more profound topic cropped up. That of suicide, and whether enough is being done to assist professional rugby players with their post-career lives.

It’s been a rough start to the year for those in rugby circles. Sione Laukai’s death from renal failure hit many in New Zealand hard.

And in Australia, widespread shock was felt after former Wallabies lock Dan Vickerman died in his family home in Sydney last week.

Mental health issues are not an everyday topic in the rugby community. Behind the scenes work is done through mental skills coaches and professional development personnel to minimise pressures that lead to desperate situations, but Umaga acknowledges challenges in this area remain on-going.

‘‘In the last week with what’s happened to Sione Lauaki and Dan Vickerman it shows that even as rugby players we are not bulletproof,’’ he said. ‘‘We can’t let pride stand in the way of asking for help if that’s what we need to do.’’

Umaga spoke openly of the efforts he and Blues management continue to make to develop relationships that allow players to express themselves without fear of it impacting their prospects.

‘‘The hardest thing for us, and for everyone, is making it a safe environment to talk where they feel like they can. That doesn’t come around by saying it. It happens where they see things being put out there so they can see that they can show their feelings. It’s not a male thing to do, especially in a rugby context.

‘‘Those are some of the barriers we’re trying to breakdown now. We’ve got to help each other; talk, and not just with ourselves but with our families.

‘‘We’ve got to hope that we know enough about our players that we can see certain things when we feel they’re off so we can approach and talk about that. That’s some of the toughest things; trying to get to know all of the players and their habits so when they do come in and they’re not feeling well we can try pick that up straight away.’’