Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

'He's been training like a 19-year-old'

Ma'a Nonu. Photo by Phil Walter / Getty Images.

Ma’a Nonu’s return to New Zealand has been met with both anticipation and scepticism.

Hoping to make a push for a third World Cup appearance later this year, Nonu has rejoined the Blues where he will likely make a formidable midfield partnership with Sonny Bill Williams.

ADVERTISEMENT

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtKPoG3APtW/

Blues assistant coach Tom Coventry had plenty to say to the sceptics doubting Nonu’s ability to make an impact despite now being 36 years old.

“Ma’a hasn’t missed a trick,” Coventry told NZME. “He hasn’t missed a training, he hasn’t been put on a restricted load, he’s done everything asked of him and he’s been training like a 19-year-old.”

“He’s been marvellous and has fit in seamlessly, really.”

Despite Nonu spending the last three seasons with French club Toulon, Coventry said his conditioning and motivation is still well ahead of the curve.

“Ma’a is in great nick,” Coventry said. “He’s a true pro. He’s come back into our environment, he brings all that experience. Just watching him train, he and Sonny have fit into our team beautifully.”

Nonu played an integral role in New Zealand’s back-to-back World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015 and has notched 103 tests in black.

Initially a star for Wellington and the Hurricanes, this stint with the Blues will be his third with the side after suiting up for the club in 2012 and 2014. He also spent a year with the Highlanders in 2013 and had been linked to a move to the Chiefs earlier this year.

If his play is good enough to earn selection for the World Cup in Japan later this year, Nonu could become one of the first players to win three World Cups.

Rugby World Cup City Guides – Oita:

Video Spacer

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

N
Nickers 30 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.

41 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea Marcus Smith on that substitution and his England plea
Search