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'He would not look out of place': Ma'a Nonu tipped for Super Rugby comeback

By Alex McLeod
(Photo by Kerry Marshall/Getty Images)

Former All Blacks star Ma’a Nonu has been tipped for a Super Rugby comeback by a former All Black and teammate.

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Nonu stole headlines last week after he made a surprise return to New Zealand rugby over the weekend when he turned out for Ngati Porou East Coast against Buller in the Heartland Championship.

The 39-year-old midfielder joined former All Blacks wing Hosea Gear and ex-Manu Samoa loose forward Faifili Levave in making their debuts off the bench for the minnow province in their 50-26 victory in Ruatoria.

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All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu turns out for East Coast in Heartland Championship

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All Blacks great Ma’a Nonu turns out for East Coast in Heartland Championship

The win was East Coast’s first in eight years after they last beat Poverty Bay in 2013, but much of the focus from the result was the rare appearance of Nonu in New Zealand rugby’s grassroots scene.

Following Nonu’s outing in New Zealand’s amateur provincial competition, former All Blacks and Blues hooker James Parsons backed the seasoned veteran to make what would be a shock return to Super Rugby.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, Parsons – who was Nonu’s teammate at the Blues in 2012, 2014 and 2019 – said the two-time World Cup-winning All Blacks centurion will still be in hot demand worldwide despite his age.

Nonu will turn 40 during next year’s inaugural Super Rugby Pacific campaign, but Parsons believes he has shown enough to still make an impact in professional rugby.

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“I’d say he’s still wanted around the globe, with what he can add, and that just shows how much he still loves the game,” the two-test All Black told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod of Nonu.

“He’s not looking to have a rest. He’s going out and playing footy. He’s keeping footy fit and any opportunity he can play with 30 people on the field, he’s up for it, no matter the level.

“He’s always been like that, though. He’s always gone back to club rugby and he’s never, ever not delivered at every level throughout his time, even as an AB.

“Jerry Collins was the same. They just love playing footy, and it was great to see, and he [Nonu] would certainly not look out of place in Super Rugby, I have no doubt about that.”

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Parsons’ comments come as rumours suggest that Super Rugby expansion franchise Moana Pasifika are in the market for Nonu’s signature.

Of Samoan heritage, Nonu would join a growing number of former test stars such as ex-Wallabies duo Christian Leali’ifano and Sekope Kepu in the Moana Pasifika roster if he joined the Auckland-based outfit.

Such a move would represent Nonu’s third foray into Super Rugby after having already made 174 Super Rugby appearances for the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders between 2003 and 2019.

The 103-test midfielder has spent time abroad in France with Toulon and in the United States with the San Diego Legion, and is also linked with a move back to the Californian side ahead of the 2022 Major League Rugby season.

Before any of that comes to fruition, Nonu could make another appearance for East Coast, with Gear, the province’s assistant coach, revealing that his former teammate is “keen” to don the sky blue jersey again this year.

Regardless of where he ends up next, Parsons said Nonu would still be able to offer plenty following his performance for East Coast.

“His kicking game is exceptional. One kick was outstanding,” Parsons told the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“Albeit, it’s about Ma’a and him going back because he still currently plays, coming from France back here, and I think last time he came back he represented the Blues and didn’t look one bit out of touch, so he’s certainly in great rugby condition.”

Parsons also reserved praise for Gear, who made his first appearance in first-class rugby since retiring from the game professionally three years ago after Nonu said he would only play for East Coast if his ex-All Blacks, Hurricanes and Highlanders teammate played as well.

“Hosea Gear looked great, too, on the left edge. Some barnstorming runs, and that classical running style of his, it was literally like reuniting the old band back together. All they needed was a yellow jersey [of the Hurricanes].”

Listen to the latest episode of the Aotearoa Rugby Pod below:

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Mzilikazi 21 minutes ago
How England reverse-engineered unlikely attacking change

Thanks, Nick, not only for this fine article, but for all the others during 6N 2024. I really enjoyed this 2024 tournament, and felt it was one of the best for many years. That final match in Lyons was really good. England were certainly unlucky when that speculative hack by Ramos lead to a French try. It could just so easily have landed in English hand.s, and they score at the other end. I did think though that the French played some great rugby, and some of their driving play in the forwards was just fearsome. I watched Meafou with interest, and he has a good start to his career. It is interesting to compare him with Will Skelton. Lot of similarities, though so far Meafou has not shown any offloading threat. All credit to Borthwick for being prepared to change, and what great result, even if that last game was lost at the death. I feel they are a real chance to cause the AB’s problems this winter/summer. Finally a comment on Ireland. I thought their last game was their worst, and they did not look like the world’s No 2 side at all. What really worries me is that the loss to England was, in my view, down to poor decision making by the coaching group, and ofc Andy Farrell wears that. It was a big mistake to move JGP away from scrum half. Murray should have been the one to go to the wing. And the “finishers” should have been on the field earlier. And this is the second time this has happened. The RWC Qf against the AB’s, and not getting Crowley onto the field was a huge mistake. Finally, finally, watching Italy play was a joy. How wonderful that they are no longer the punchbag of the 6 N.

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