Calls for Sharks to play Ma’a Nonu against the All Blacks after ‘shrewd’ Durban move
All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu
All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu has signed a short-term deal to join the Sharks; here’s how the rugby public reacted to the news from Durban.
A true great of the game, Nonu will take his expertise and over 20 years of experience to Durban, where he will perform a leadership and mentorship role to help develop the young talents in KwaZulu-Natal.
Following the announcement of the 103 Test cap centre’s signing, we take a look at how social media reacted to the news of the double World Cup-winner’s arrival.
Reaction to Ma’a Nonu signing for the Sharks
We start with X, formerly Twitter, where the news was greeted rather positively.
“The Sharks signing Ma’a Nonu in a mentorship role is an incredible move for Jurenzo Julius. I cannot think of anyone better to work with him to fast-track his development. Definitely someone to keep an eye on in the URC now,” Alten du Plessis wrote.
Meanwhile, Angus Usher highlighted the experience the 44-year-old New Zealander will bring with the centre making his professional debut before two of the Sharks’ star centres were even born.
His post read: “A 21-year-old Ma’a Nonu made his All Black debut in June 2003. He will now be mentoring and playing alongside two exciting young centre prospects in Jurenzo Julius and Ethan Hooker.
Julius was born in May 2004
Hooker was born in Jan 2003″
Former Melbourne Rebels and Western Force head coach Dave Wessels said it’s a nice change of pace to have Nonu on South Africa’s side now.
“Oke is older than me! Terrorised us in Super Rugby for years. Nice to have him on our side of the fence,” the SA Rugby General Manager remarked.
All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu makes bombshell South African move, signing for the Sharks
Play him against the All Blacks
Many hope that the midfielder would turn out for the Sharks when they host the All Blacks at Kings Park during the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Tour of South Africa, with the two teams set to collide on August 11.
“Should play him against the All Blacks purely for the vibes,” Jordan Patu wrote, with journalist Jamie Wall writing: “If Nonu plays for the Sharks against the All Blacks they should roll out Tony Brown as well.”
“Ma’a Nonu joining the Sharks, had to check the calendar to make sure it’s not April,” the Dummy Switch Pod’s post added, while Brendon Wessels hailed the decision from the Durbanites.
“Shrewd move in my opinion. Nonu must have some of the best rugby IP in the world,” his post read.
Moving onto Instagram, many of the fans were also excited by the signing.
“No way, my Goat is coming to Durban,” @bavela_jiji’s comment on the Sharks’ post read.
A Stormers fan said that they ‘were scared’ of the prospect of Andre Esterhuizen and Nonu combining in the centres against the Cape Town franchise.
Others weren’t convinced that the news was real.
“I seriously thought this was AI,” @Sasol027 wrote and they weren’t alone in thinking as much with many comments reading along the same lines.
@vuyo.ntabeni_9 was blown away by the fact that Nonu is continuing his career after he wasn’t offered a contract extension at French club RC Toulon.
“How this guy’s still playing is beyond comprehension; he retired from test rugby more than 10 years ago and is still playing,” Ntabeni wrote.
Ma’a Nonu: All Blacks legend reveals why he has signed for the Sharks
Humorous reactions
The positive reactions continued on the Sharks’ Facebook page, where fans also expressed their delight and overall excitement.
“Nonu was a legend on the field. He will be great in teaching the young Sharks,” John Hopkins wrote, Zane Moolman adding: “Jurenzo Julius being mentored by the great Nonu. This will be epic!”
Whilst the reactions were mostly positive, Facebook did produce some detractors and comical comments.
“Are they getting him at a pensioner’s discount?” Simon Jangle III wrote in reply to Planet Rugby’s post.
“Signing a 45-year-old. Well done Sharks. I heard Matfield also wanna return. Can the Sharks buy him as well?” another joked.
“Ma’a Nonu wants to play rugby until he reaches 50 years to retire is not in his DNA,” Vuyani Monelo added.
