Ma'a Nonu

Nonu to play for East Coast

The 39-year-old former All Blacks midfield back has been named on East Coast's bench for tomorrow's match against Buller in Ruatōria.

East Coast are coached by 14-test All Black Hosea Gear, who is also poised to make his debut for the province off the bench.

Gear hasn't played a competitive match since 2018.

Their old Hurricanes teammate Faifili Levave has also been named amongst the East Coast reserves.

Wales' Willis Halaholo on his gratitude to Ma'a Nonu and quitting a boozy lifestyle in NZ

The 30-year-old former Hurricanes midfielder has also admitted observing ex-All Black Ma'a Nonu's professionalism gave his career a boost, culminating in his success in Wales since signing for the Cardiff Blues.

Halaholo helped Wales score a 25-24 Six Nations win over Scotland in Edinburgh on Sunday, highlighted by a superbly-timed pass for Louis Rees-Zammit's match-winning final try.

Door still open for Ma'a Nonu to make All Blacks' World Cup squad: Steve Hansen

Nonu was not invited to be part of the 41-man group which assembled in Wellington on Monday, but was offered a ray of hope when head coach Steve Hansen said the veteran midfielder would "be considered like anybody else".

Hansen said the selectors had decided to invite only players involved in the All Blacks' 2018 campaign.

"There are some guys who aren't here that, if you were picking it on form, probably would be here, but the rules are the rules and we are all playing by them."

Nonu's World Cup dream appears to be over

Coach Steve Hansen has unveiled 41 players to attend a "foundation day" in Wellington next week in the first significant step towards winning the Webb Ellis Cup for a third-straight time.

There are few notable omissions aside from Nonu, whose last Test was the triumphant 2015 World Cup final.

The 36-year-old played for French club Toulon before returning to Super Rugby with the Blues, where his performances had been solid until last week's virtuoso performance against the NSW Waratahs.

'No doubt' about Nonu's impact

A milestone night for Waratahs fullback Israel Foloau ended on a sour note as his team went down 32-29 to the Blues in a tense clash in Auckland on Saturday night.

The result lifted the Blues to fourth overall and within sight of second in the New Zealand conference.

With his team trailing 22-21 midway through the second half, it was a loose pass from Folau that ultimately proved decisive, allowing Nonu to charge 40m for his team's final try.

Nonu leaving French club Toulon

Nonu joined Toulon after winning the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

"Toulon warmly thanks Ma'a Nonu for his involvement and commitment during these three seasons and wishes him and his family the best for the future," said Toulon on their website, with Nonu having played 77 matches during his time at the French side.

The 36-year-old centre scored 14 tries in 77 matches for Toulon, who lost back-to-back Top 14 finals in 2016 and 2017.

On social media Nonu said:

Ma'a Nonu and Dan Carter deadly as race to French playoffs heats up

Ma'a Nonu was at his vintage best as he helped Toulon to a thrilling and important win in the French Top 14.

The former All Blacks midfielder scored the last of Toulon's three tries with a brilliant solo 30m effort in their 33-23 win on Monday (NZ time).

Tries haven't been easy to come by for Nonu since he moved to France following the 2015 World Cup triumph.

But he showed his mix of power and pace with this effort, side-stepping against the run of play and slicing through the Toulouse defenders to make his way to the line.

Nonu staying at Toulon

Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal has revealed that Nonu has penned a one-year contract extension with the club.

That means the two-time Rugby World Cup winner will stay with the Top 14 outfit until June 2018.

The 34-year-old joined Toulon after helping New Zealand to defend their Rugby World Cup crown at the 2015 tournament in England.

Nonu, who won New Zealand's Kelvin R Tremain Player of the Year award in 2015, battled in his first year with Toulon but has impressed during the 2016/17 season, scoring three tries in 19 matches in all competitions.

 

Ma'a Nonu magic helps Toulon to top of European Champions Cup pool

English club Wasps looked like they had beaten the defending champions when Guy Thompson scored in the corner, but Toulon replied with an injury-time try to Wallabies wing Drew Mitchell for a vital 15-11 win.

Running off a perfectly timed pass from Nonu, Mitchell hit the gas and sped away for the crucial try, and the win that takes Toulon to the top of Pool 5.

Nonu beats out Carter for top gong

Nonu, who's now playing in France, played in 103 tests for the All Blacks, was part of New Zealand's successful title defence at the Rugby World Cup in England last month.

The second-five scored five tries for the Hurricanes on their way to the Super Rugby final where they fell just short against the Highlanders.