1
Colin Cooper refuses to rule out Nonu reunion
By Online Editors
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.
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.
In other news:
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Wallaroos captain reflects on Black Ferns’ success with sevens stars
3
Springboks flyhalf's latest injury worry
4
Initial Immanuel Feyi-Waboso injury update does not sound promising
5
Latest Comments
Perofeta came back and was available for the eoyt right? Or was that why Love was in the squad (but got injured in the last week)?
It was such a frustrating year. Perofeta looked a service stop gap until Jordan was fit, but then got injured. Plummer was selected because of Pero's injury and dmac shat the bed in the second half in Australia but Clarke (?) got himself binned at the 65 min mark so Plummer couldn't come on (at least with the risk adverse Razors thinking) when he was planned to.
So many other exciting opportunities that could have happened without injuries, but then theyre probably balanced by knowing Sititi probably wouldn't have been given a chance without multiple injuries happened.
Go to commentsIf they want to improve they need a backs coach. Thats the big area they have failed this year. Talent isnt the problem. Coaching is.
Go to comments