Nonu: Confirms his playing future
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All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu plans to switch to the Highlanders for the 2013 Super Rugby season, ending his one-year stint with the Blues.
Nonu cited family reasons for the move, quashing speculation the 30-year-old would wind down his career with a lucrative move to Japan in the wake of last year's Rugby World Cup victory.
"It's got nothing to do with the Blues, it is a decision I have made for myself and my family," the 71-Test veteran told reporters, adding that details of the contract had to be finalised before he signed.
Blues coach John Kirwan said he was disappointed with Nonu's decision, believing he had a handshake deal with the powerhouse midfielder to remain in Auckland.
"I am obviously disappointed," Kirwan said.
"The lateness in the decision has really put us in a difficult situation, but we are going to have a young, exciting young team and we'll move on."
Nonu is the second high-profile Blues player to move to the Highlanders during the off-season, with prop Tony Woodcock also defecting after a disappointing season in which the Auckland-based franchise finished 12th on the Super Rugby ladder.
He will join other All Blacks team-mates such as Andrew Hore, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith and Hosea Gear in Dunedin.
Former All Blacks lock Brad Thorn is also in the process of signing with the team that is coached by former Hurricanes coach Jamie Joseph.
Comments
sukkadoits says...
@mew2000 i'd like to know what you know about Nonu's contract. There are all sorts of escape clauses written in for players of Nonu's experience and stature, especially revolving around regime change. He's his own man, the NZRU have done what's best for 1 of their key assets. They get to pay him less too. Also Hammett didn't want Piri to go, he left of his own accord.
Posted 23:28 18th October 2012
Trader2 says...
Love it, listen to those whinging Blues fans.
Posted 14:59 18th October 2012
rugbyheim says...
I agree with mew2000. Nonu didn't do anything for the Blues this season. Having been taking out of his comfort zone, he got exposed everywhere this year. He was ineffective on attack for the Blues. However, in his defence, the whole Blues team were mediocre, even their AB's players. He plays well along side good players, and he plays well for good teams. But as we found out, he didn't nothing special for the Blues.
Posted 08:46 18th October 2012
mew2000 says...
IT was the NZRU that basically tore up his blues contract and made it highlanders instead..... What a way for the main hq to stuff one of the super teams eh? IF SBW was still here would this have happened? Not a chance!!! I will say it again NZRU are MORONS!
Posted 19:16 17th October 2012
mew2000 says...
nonu is over rated!! The NZRU are gutless morons for allowing him to move, this will start a trend now that they have let it and a contract means nothing!!! What happens if nonu doesn't like it down there either? Family reasons again? More like ego , what a loser! Hammet is a mastermind for getting rid of him when he did and he same for wepu... CAn't see wepu being there next year, even andy ellis is playing better than wepu as well as the 3 new wonder halfbacks.
Posted 18:24 16th October 2012
Trader2 says...
With Brad Thorne to come. Great to see the "Southern Men" come home, I am sure Ma'a was born somewhere down there, but no matter we will have him. Looking like quite a handy squad being put together.
Posted 12:27 16th October 2012
startledwombat says...
Family reasons? A check of the Otago and Southland phone directories reveals there is no-one in the district from clan McNonu.
Posted 11:55 16th October 2012
kpe12 says...
Blues to compete for the wooden sppon with the ... the ... Golden Lions? Is that a team?
Posted 10:07 16th October 2012
sirtidychris says...
A notoriously slow starter in the super 15, the blues shouldn't be too sad to see him go especially given his international commitments and salary, They tried a team full of super stars and it failed maybe try build from the bottom and bring on the home grown youth....to be honest i think thats being forced upon them anyway with toeva, kaino and woodcock agmounst others leaving.
Posted 09:40 16th October 2012
sbobrfc says...
Highlanders have a genuienly exciting back line now! Gear, Nonu, Sladey, Smith, Baker, Ellison etc!
Posted 09:31 16th October 2012