'I feel really good’: Ma’a Nonu opens up on playing ‘one more year’ in MLR

Former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu has opened up about why, at the age of 41, the two-time World Cup winner couldn’t “quite give up” playing professional rugby union with the San Diego Legion.

Nonu, who initially signed on with the California-based side in 2020, has been an international icon of Major League Rugby by continuing to extend his stay out west year after year.

But the New Zealander couldn’t walk away after last season’s heartbreak. Whenever there’s a winner, there has to be a loser. The Legion were on the wrong side of history in last year’s championship game against the New England Free Jacks.

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Playing at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois, the Legion were ahead as the clock ticked closer and closer to the 80-minute mark. But the Free Jacks had one last history-making say.

Namibia international Le Roux Malan scored a try inside the last five minutes which saw the New Englanders win 25-24. That left Nonu with an itch that only professional rugby could scratch.

“Once I left the stadium, my wife looked at me and I said to her, ‘One more year, please’,’” Nonu told Newshub.

“I’ve enjoyed playing footy. I don’t think I could quite give up right now.”

Nonu’s decorated rugby career is unrivalled. To win two Rugby World Cups is something special, but the New Zealander has also accomplished some incredible feats at club level.

After debuting for the Wellington Lions in 2002, Nonu went on to play for both the Hurricanes and All Blacks for the first time the following year. The All Black also enjoyed a brief stint with the New Zealand Sevens side.

Nonu went on to represent the All Blacks more than 100 times and he also played 126 matches for the Hurricanes at Super Rugby level.

The world-class midfielder also had stints with French Top 14 giants Toulon, and both the Blues and Highlanders in Super Rugby before signing with the Legion.

“Age is just a number. I feel really good,” Nonu said.

“The latter part of my career has come down to my mind, really in my head in terms of whether I could put up with the training or playing wise.

“If you ask any pro that’s retired or playing now, you have to go to that place where you really love the game because you go to dark places.

“I enjoy training and playing against much younger players that push me as well. The younger players that come through, they really inspire me to play, to keep going.

“But the end is near, I’m telling you that.”

The All Blacks released their 2024 Test schedule on Thursday morning, including a Test against the Flying Fijians in Nonu’s adopted home of San Diego. New Zealand will take on Fiji on July 19 at Snapdragon Stadium.

It’s an announcement that Nonu described as “exciting news” for rugby fans in the United States.

“There’s been a lot of people waiting for the All Blacks to come and play on the West Coast, and to be playing the Flying Fijians, which are still (one of) the most exciting teams in the world,” he added.

“The All Blacks are renowned here in the United States. It’s a new game.

“To watch the All Blacks here, touchdown in San Diego, it’s going to be exciting.”