Ma'a Nonu snaps eight-year losing streak in shock NZ rugby return
Former All Blacks star Ma’a Nonu has marked his surprise return to New Zealand rugby in winning, and drought-breaking, fashion.
It was announced earlier this week that the 103-test, two-time World Cup-winning midfielder would play for Ngati Porou East Coast in the Heartland Championship this weekend.
The announcement came after All Blacks captain Sam Cane made his long-awaited return from a pectoral injury to play for King Country against Whanganui last weekend before flying out to Washington DC for next weekend’s clash against the USA.
The second high-profile All Black, past or present, to grace the Heartland Championship in as many weeks, Nonu was named on the bench for East Coast in their round five clash against Buller in Ruatoria.
Joining Nonu in the reserves was East Coast head coach and former All Blacks wing Hosea Gear, as well as ex-Samoa, Blues and Hurricanes flanker Faifili Levave.
Together, the trio were brought in to help the tiny provincial union snap an eight-year, 54-match losing streak, but, as it turned out, East Coast didn’t really need their star-studded substitutes to break their long-standing drought.
By the time Nonu, Gear and Levave entered the fray in the 60th minute, East Coast were already leading by 31 points, paving the way for a 50-26 victory at Whakarua Park.
Nonu and East Coast dominated headlines in New Zealand when it was confirmed the 39-year-old would play for the amateur outfit, which he did under the condition that Gear, an All Black of 14 tests, would play alongside him.
In doing so, Gear made his first appearance in New Zealand first-class rugby since he played for the Chiefs in 2015, three years prior to his retirement from professional rugby.
Nonu, meanwhile, is yet to hang up the boots for good, having played for Toulon as recently as last year after being called up for a second stint with the French club as a medical joker.
Before that, Nonu made two outings for the San Diego Legion in last year’s edition of Major League Rugby prior to the competition’s Covid-enforced cancellation.
The year before that, Nonu played for the Blues for a third time in an unsuccessful bid to make the All Blacks squad for the 2019 World Cup, four years after his final test for New Zealand, which came in their 2015 World Cup final win over the Wallabies.
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Nonu, who also played for the Hurricanes and Highlanders in his 174-cap Super Rugby career, began his East Coast debut inauspiciously by giving away a penalty for not releasing the ball in his his first carry of the match.
However, he showed some touches of class, including a 50:22 kick which helped set up first-five Te Rangi Fraser’s second try of the match.
Aside from that, Nonu didn’t have much to do, but his presence, and the drought-breaking occasion, will certainly have lifted spirits among the East Coast faithful.
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Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments