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Toulon confirm Ma'a Nonu exit with final game imminent


Toulon's New-Zealander centre Ma'a Nonu looks on during the French Top14 rugby union match between Aviron Bayonnais (Bayonne) and Rugby Club Toulonnais (Toulon) at Stade Jean Dauger in Bayonne, south-western France on September 28, 2025. (Photo by Gaizka IROZ / AFP)
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Toulon have confirmed that legendary former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu will leave the club at the end of the season.

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The 44-year-old began his third stint with the treble Investec Champions Cup winners in February last year, extending his contract by a further year that July.

But the 103-cap All Black is part of a list of seven coaches and players who will leave the Stade Mayol at the end of the season, which will come this Saturday against Castres in the final round of the Top 14, having already failed to make the play-offs.

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Another legend of the game, forwards coach Sergio Parisse, will also leave alongside Nonu, as he is set to join the Italian coaching staff under Gonzalo Quesada. His compatriot, Andrea Masi, who has served as backs coach, will also leave at the end of the season, as will fitness coach Gilles Allou.

Among the players, Nonu will leave alongside lock Brian Alainu’uese, prop Daniel Brennan and back-row Giorgi Javakhia.

Fixture
Top 14
Castres
12:00
6 Jun 26
Toulon
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There has been no indication thus far as to what Nonu’s next move will be, but there has been no suggestion that he is about to hang up his boots.

Those departing were given a send-off after their final home game of the season on Sunday – a 27-22 victory over Investec Champions Cup winners Bordeaux-Begles, who had defended their European crown only a week before. The former All Black was not part of the matchday squad, however.

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The Toulon squad for their final match of the season will be announced this week.

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2 Comments
T
Tk 16 mins ago

A truly great player and I remember an article from years ago about how Wayne Smith rated Ma’a as one of the greatest and quietest thinkers of the game he had coached. Maybe coaching is next for him….

M
MP 1 hr ago

Incredible career, mad respect. He is one year older than me, I cannot imagine playing at that age, I injure myself in my sleep let alone running about.

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