One small step for Ma’a Nonu in World Cup leap of faith
Veteran New Zealand player returns to Super Rugby for the Blues in opener against the Crusaders
Ma’a Nonu made the first step towards what would be a remarkable return to World Cup rugby on Thursday when he was named to start for the Blues in their Super Rugby opener against the champion Crusaders. The 36-year-old will partner TJ Faiane in the midfield at Eden Park on Saturday with Nonu’s fellow World Cup winning-centre Sonny Bill Williams on the bench. It will be his first Super Rugby appearance since the 2015 final, when the Highlanders upset his Hurricanes to apparently bring an end to his career in New Zealand as he headed off to France. A desire to bring his young family back to New Zealand prompted him to walk away from the offer of a contract extension at Toulon, though, and when he signed with the Blues, talk of a fourth World Cup appearance naturally followed. It will be no easy task with Williams, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown and Ngani Laumape all ahead of him in the queue but the desire is still there to try. “Well I think [making the All Blacks] i...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.