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Watch: Old dogs don't need new tricks as Ma'a Nonu bunts Anton Lienert-Brown with pure power
The Blues fell short of breaking an 8-year dry spell against the Chiefs in Hamilton but Ma’a Nonu showed that old dogs don’t need new tricks, pulling out a special bulldozing run to score.
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The Blues midfielder took a short ball at top speed and clattered into Chiefs opposite Anton Lienert-Brown, bunting him onto his backside before fighting through traffic to score a try down High street.
???#RiseUp #BluesAllDay #CHIvBLU pic.twitter.com/Ti5iyPtVoo
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) April 13, 2019
After scoring one and setting up two last week against the Waratahs, Nonu scored a double last night to further push his case forward after being omitted from the All Blacks foundation day squad. Despite making just 9-run metres, Nonu beat 10 defenders with bruising carries offering a handful for the Chiefs defence.
Ma a' Nonu will run you the hell over! ?
— Vuyisanani-nathi??? (@2geezz) April 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/humblekiwi/status/1117220736215568384
Ma'a Nonu ?? take a bow…. @luti5884 @Charxpose @TheeSokee @aredo_jo
— Timothy Mudoola Muwumba (@DonTimteo) April 13, 2019
https://twitter.com/cookiemanstah22/status/1117070538784948224
Ma'a Nonu has absolutely no right to be playing the way he's playing at the moment like aren't you finished like the rest of your class.
— Chippi (@getfitwchippi) April 13, 2019
Blues head coach Leon Macdonald has praised Nonu’s efforts this season claiming he wouldn’t rule him out wearing the black jersey again. He was again impressed with his performance against the Chiefs.
“I’m glad I wasn’t in that channel when he carried over the line there, he was like a steam train wasn’t he. He was good again tonight, and he’s going right through to the end, 80 minutes of solid rugby,” he told the media post-match.
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With news last Thursday that Blues teammate Sonny Bill Williams will require knee surgery, Nonu is placed to recieve significantly more game time in the 12 jersey after being used at 13 earlier this season.
Williams will return for the final stages of Super Rugby after six weeks recovery and look to make a late push for the Rugby World Cup squad, but it might be Nonu who has form and match fitness. The Crusaders pair of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue are obvious frontrunners, so Nonu will have to oust Ngani Laumape or Anton Lienert-Brown to be one of the four midfielders to make the squad.
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