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'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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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“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.”
Comments on RugbyPass
An inside pass to attacker on the angle can make a drift defence look lead footed. Relies on fleet footed forward/s to get across from the breakdown. An argument for the smaller faster 7 perhaps?
3 Go to commentsSensational tackle. The reds one was late and rightly penalised. The other two were simultaneous with the pass. If nitpicking TMOs can’t find fault there clearly isn’t any.
1 Go to commentsBrumbies fully deserved their win on the back of their physicality and desire to control the ball. Xavier Numia, Asafo Aumua and Tyrel Lomax should be the ABs starting front row when we start our test schedule. They have “come of age” and have bested all they have faced as well as been dominant with ball in hand in making the gainline. With De Groot, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell backed up by Taukei'aho and Cody Taylor there's not an international front row that can trouble us. Can't wait to face the Boks over there, won't be no one point game this time.
5 Go to commentsKinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
5 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
5 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
5 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
3 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to comments