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Nonu leaves Toulon and 'suspends' career
By Tom Webber
Former New Zealand international Ma'a Nonu has left Toulon and put his career on hold for "family reasons", the Top 14 side have announced.
All Blacks legend Nonu joined Toulon after winning a second Rugby World Cup in 2015 and went on to make 77 appearances for the club, scoring 14 tries.
It was reported last month that the 36-year-old centre would prolong his stay in France, but he has instead opted to depart and will take a hiatus from the sport.
A Toulon statement read: "For family reasons, the All Black centre Ma'a Nonu has decided not to extend his adventure with Toulon and suspend his rugby career.
"Toulon warmly thanks Ma'a Nonu for his involvement and commitment during his three seasons and wishes him and his family the best for the future."
Nonu missed the 2015-16 Top 14 final defeat against Racing 92 due to injury and started last year's showpiece loss to Clermont Auvergne.
Toulon made the play-offs this season but were defeated by Lyon after extra time in their semi-final qualifier.
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Has there ever been a Red and Black you don't rate GP over the years? However to be fair most of your favs have had the goods.
Go to commentsI'm not very hopeful of a better change to the sport. Putting an Aussie in charge after they failed for two decades is just disgusting. What else will be brought in to weaken the game? What new rule changes will be made? How will the game be grown?
Nothing of value in this letter. There is no definitive drive towards something better. Just more of the same as usual. The most successful WC team is getting snubbed again and again for WC's hosting rights. What will make other competitions any different?
My beloved rugby is already a global sport. Why is there no SH team chosen between the Boks, AB's, Wallabies and Fiji? Like a B&I Lions team to tour Europe and America? A team that could face not only countries but also the B&I Lions? Wouldn't that make for a great spectacle that will also bring lots of eyeballs to the sport?
Instead with an Aussie in charge, rugby will become more like rugby league. Rugby will most likely become less global if we look at what have become of rugby in Australia. He can't save rugby in Australia, how will he improve the global footprint of rugby world wide?
I hope to be proven wrong and that he will raise up the sport to new heights, but I am very much in doubt. It's like hiring a gardener to a CEO position in a global company expecting great results. It just won't happen. Call me negative or call me whatever you'd like, Robinson is the wrong man for the job.
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