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Ma'a Nonu confirms he is leaving the Blues but he isn't done with pro rugby yet
By Online Editors
Christopher Reive NZ Herald
Ma'a Nonu's fleeting return to New Zealand rugby has come to an end, with the midfielder set to continue his career in the United States.
The 103-test All Blacks will join the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby next season, after a single year back on home shores with the Blues.
"Ma'a is a huge addition for us," Legion head coach Rob Hoadley said of the signing.
"It is undeniable that he will have a major impact on the MLR this season. He is a world-class player who has proven himself to be one of the greats of the game. His talent and leadership will be a perfect addition to the San Diego Legion."
Nonu returned to New Zealand for the 2019 Super Rugby season sparking discussion over whether or not he would be able to challenge for a spot in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup squad.
However, in 14 appearances, the 37-year-old pushed his claim in a struggling Blues outfit and but was left out in a crowded All Blacks midfield.
Major League Rugby is a new competition, founded in 2017 with its inaugural season being played in 2018.
The competition features 12 teams, with 11 from the US and one from Canada. The Seattle Seawolves have claimed the title in both seasons played to date.
Nonu will link up with ex-Hurricanes prop Chris Eves and former Waikato No8 Jordan Manihera in San Diego at the commencement of pre-season training this December.
Former Wallabies winger Digby Ioane (Glendale Raptors), Ex-All Blacks Adam Thompson (Utah Warriors) and former French centre Mathieu Bastareaud (Rugby United New York) have also signed on for the 2020 season.
This article first appeared on the NZ Herald and is republished with permission here.
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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