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Watch: Old dogs don't need new tricks as Ma'a Nonu bunts Anton Lienert-Brown with pure power
By Online Editors
The Blues fell short of breaking an 8-year dry spell against the Chiefs in Hamilton but Ma'a Nonu showed that old dogs don't need new tricks, pulling out a special bulldozing run to score.
The Blues midfielder took a short ball at top speed and clattered into Chiefs opposite Anton Lienert-Brown, bunting him onto his backside before fighting through traffic to score a try down High street.
After scoring one and setting up two last week against the Waratahs, Nonu scored a double last night to further push his case forward after being omitted from the All Blacks foundation day squad. Despite making just 9-run metres, Nonu beat 10 defenders with bruising carries offering a handful for the Chiefs defence.
Blues head coach Leon Macdonald has praised Nonu's efforts this season claiming he wouldn't rule him out wearing the black jersey again. He was again impressed with his performance against the Chiefs.
"I'm glad I wasn't in that channel when he carried over the line there, he was like a steam train wasn't he. He was good again tonight, and he's going right through to the end, 80 minutes of solid rugby," he told the media post-match.
With news last Thursday that Blues teammate Sonny Bill Williams will require knee surgery, Nonu is placed to recieve significantly more game time in the 12 jersey after being used at 13 earlier this season.
Williams will return for the final stages of Super Rugby after six weeks recovery and look to make a late push for the Rugby World Cup squad, but it might be Nonu who has form and match fitness. The Crusaders pair of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue are obvious frontrunners, so Nonu will have to oust Ngani Laumape or Anton Lienert-Brown to be one of the four midfielders to make the squad.
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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