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Colin Cooper refuses to rule out Nonu reunion

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper is refusing to deny a potential reunion with former All Blacks midfielder Ma’a Nonu.

Nonu announced in May that he had “decided to take a step back from rugby” for family reasons, leaving French club Toulon. While a potential move back to New Zealand was speculated, Hurricanes coach John Plumtree ruled out signing Nonu earlier this month.

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However, Chiefs head coach Cooper – who coached Nonu between 2003 and 2010 during his time with the Hurricanes – refused to rule out a potential move to Hamilton for the 36-year-old.

“No, we haven’t talked about that,” Cooper said when asked about Nonu at the captain’s run leading up to Friday night’s quarter-final between the Chiefs and Hurricanes.

“Our whole focus is this quarter-final, and those sort of discussions don’t come into it. That’s the conservativeness in me, it’s week by week, don’t lose your focus, bring it all this Friday night.

When asked once more, Cooper said: “I’m just saying we haven’t been discussing it. I’m not saying no or yes.”

The Chiefs midfield is set for a shake-up next year due to the impending departures of Johnny Fa’auli (Japan), Charlie Ngatai (France) and Tim Nanai-Williams (France).

Nonu played 103 Tests for the All Blacks from 2003-2015, with his last international appearance coming in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. Nonu left for France following the World Cup victory.

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Nickers 28 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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