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Ageless Ma'a Nonu furthers All Black case with vintage performance
Blues midfielder Ma’a Nonu has turned back the clock with a vintage performance in a 32-29 win over the Waratahs at Eden Park, further pushing his case forward for an All Black recall.
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Nonu finished with a try and two try assists while in defence finished with eight tackles, missing one. He showed his class early stepping up into first receiver to fire a bullet pass to find Tom Robinson on the edge for the Blues’ first try. He followed it up moments later providing a simple pass out the back for Caleb Clarke who scored under the posts.
Ma'a Nonu still has pace ?#BLUvWAR pic.twitter.com/1pcOfpuiH0
— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) April 6, 2019
Nonu showed he still has the toe in the open field to finish from anywhere when the Blues capitalised on a loose pass from a Waratahs set-piece play. When Ioane delivered the final pass, no one looked like catching Nonu.
Ma Nonu still the best 12 in the world ?#BLUvWAR
— Observer (@rugby_whisperer) April 6, 2019
https://twitter.com/TNODonoghue/status/1114423222169214978
https://twitter.com/galumay/status/1114438081203957760
https://twitter.com/MRrugbyworldcup/status/1114422972058492929
Nonu and Ashley-Cooper still masters of the midfield. #BLUvWAR
— GeeCee (@geoffretrac) April 6, 2019
The impressive performance will do no harm for Nonu’s World Cup push in an already crowded midfield puzzle. There will be no easy decisions for Steve Hansen with Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Ngani Laumape, Anton Lienert-Brown already in the mix as well as Blues teammate Sonny Bill Williams.
If Nonu can maintain his level of play, he would bring experience that the others can’t necessarily bring, having been an integral part of two World Cup campaigns and an All Black Centurian.
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One aspect in Nonu’s favour was he generally saved his best for the black jersey and was known for performing better at international level. If that still holds true then he could be a heading to his fourth World Cup.
Israel Dagg hangs up his boots:
