Benetton Rugby’s Jacob Umaga Showcases Composure Both On and Off the Pitch
Umaga’s Business Ventures Complement His Rugby Career
Benetton Rugby’s Jacob Umaga proved his mettle with a match-winning performance in Durban last weekend, which comes as no surprise given his business ventures outside of the game. Umaga, along with his Benetton teammate and close friend Paolo Odogwu, co-owns a clothing company called Composure Club, a venture the duo first embarked upon during their time at Wasps several years ago.
“We were hanging out a lot as friends and we are both into fashion. It was coming up to lockdown, so we thought why not give it a go,” explains the England international.
The clothing line, which the pair describe as “streetwear, comfort clothing for everyone,” has garnered support from a wide range of customers since its launch in 2021, with Benetton’s club shop at Stadio Monigo even carrying some of their products.
Umaga’s Rugby Pedigree and Versatility
Umaga’s rugby pedigree is undeniable, with his father Mike having played Test rugby for Samoa and uncle Tana captaining the All Blacks. The 25-year-old, who can slot in at both fly-half and full-back, has represented England at the U20 level, winning a Six Nations Grand Slam and reaching the World Championship final in 2017. After a stint in New Zealand, he joined Wasps, where he made 72 appearances before the club’s demise in 2022 led to his move to Benetton.
Match-winning Performance in Durban
In Durban last weekend, Umaga’s composure shone through as he came off the bench to score a crucial try and kick the match-winning conversion in Benetton’s narrow 25-24 victory over the Hollywoodbets Sharks in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
“It was a bit nervy to be fair because when I scored the try I actually landed on my knee and my leg was a little bit numb, but I think the adrenalin got me through,” he revealed.
Upcoming Challenge Against Vodacom Bulls
Benetton now face another tough challenge as they travel to Pretoria to take on the high-flying Vodacom Bulls in the URC.
“Not many teams win there, so it’s a difficult place to go, but we are going there with the mindset to perform for 80 minutes and to get as much out of it as we can,” Umaga said.
Potential Samoa Representation
The versatile back, who is eligible to represent Samoa through his grandparents, remains open to the possibility of following in his father’s footsteps and donning the Manu Samoa jersey in the future.
“The longer I’ve been away from England, the more it’s been at the forefront of my mind. I’m just taking it step by step at the moment, but I’ll be open to playing for Samoa when I’m available,” he said.
đź”— Source
