Nonu

reprobate

if they were competing for the same position in the same team, it would not even be close. nonu 10 times out of 10.

MN5

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="sparky" data-cid="538201" data-time="1446420550">World Rugby have named Giteau at 12 in their team of the year ahead of Nonu, what a fucking joke.</blockquote>
 
I thought Giteau was the one knocked senseless, not the selectors....

dejo

Nonu probably should be player of the year

Victor Meldrew

Been a fan of Nonu for years and have to admit a great sense of satisfaction at Nonu's performance this RWC and his try in the Final was just the icing on the cake for me
 
There was a time when you cringed when he came on but sometime in '08/09 you started to feel relieved when he came on and by 2010/11 he had matured into one of the few players like Carter & McCaw you thought "Oh Shit" when he wasn't available - not that it happened often, for a big bloke in a tough contact area who was as physical as hell, he was rarely injured
 
Seemed like a complex character at times and he had a bit of rough time in S15 but worked thru that and it was always a case of all hell breaking loose when he pulled on the Black jersey. Who can forget this:

If you measure a player's worth by what he puts back into the jersey, Ma'a would near the top of any list. Not just for his play but for the way he handles himself - making sure that on his 100th Test, JdV got his 12 shirt after breaking his arm being an example of his class.
 
His replacement has big shoes to fill

nostrildamus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dejo" data-cid="538312" data-time="1446427892">Nonu probably should be player of the year</blockquote>12s don't usually get the glory do they?!

Siam

grrr grumble fken try scoring celebrations before try scoring grrrr grumble
 
Involuntary response to that (otherwise) great vid

jegga

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Victor Meldrew" data-cid="538585" data-time="1446473704">
<div>
Been a fan of Nonu for years and have to admit a great sense of satisfaction at Nonu's performance this RWC and his try in the Final was just the icing on the cake for me
 
There was a time when you cringed when he came on but sometime in '08/09 you started to feel relieved when he came on and by 2010/11 he had matured into one of the few players like Carter & McCaw you thought "Oh Shit" when he wasn't available - not that it happened often, for a big bloke in a tough contact area who was as physical as hell, he was rarely injured
 
Seemed like a complex character at times and he had a bit of rough time in S15 but worked thru that and it was always a case of all hell breaking loose when he pulled on the Black jersey. Who can forget this:

If you measure a player's worth by what he puts back into the jersey, Ma'a would near the top of any list. Not just for his play but for the way he handles himself - making sure that on his 100th Test, JdV got his 12 shirt after breaking his arm being an example of his class.
 
His replacement has big shoes to fill
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
Only one shoe to fill in that clip.

da_grubster

he is our best attacking weapon and has been for some time.
 
Now a double world cup winner I believe he is our best 2nd 5 of all time and in my eyes the greatest ever. At the very least, be on a par with Tim Horan.
 
He will be missed. What a great All Black

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="da_grubster" data-cid="538871" data-time="1446540431">
<div>
he is our best attacking weapon and has been for some time.
 
Now a double world cup winner I believe he is our best 2nd 5 of all time and in my eyes the greatest ever. At the very least, be on a par with Tim Horan.
 
He will be missed. What a great All Black
</div>
</blockquote>
And still at the top of his game. The guy is a machine, Toulon are getting some player

kiwiinmelb

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="538887" data-time="1446544088">
<div>
And still at the top of his game. The guy is a machine, Toulon are getting some player
</div>
</blockquote>
 
 
And I think this is the sad part , Nonu is still at the peak of his powers , 
 
If he was around next year , a backline of ASmith - Cruden - Nonu - Fekitoa is still a fucking strong one , take out Nonus name and it doesnt have the same look

canefan

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="538904" data-time="1446546895">And I think this is the sad part , Nonu is still at the peak of his powers , 
 
If he was around next year , a backline of ASmith - Cruden - Nonu - Fekitoa is still a fucking strong one , take out Nonus name and it doesnt have the same look </blockquote>I don't begrudge him leaving, I wonder how much cash the NZRFU offered him? Perhaps it wasn't about the money, he just wanted a change

NTA

What's left to do, really? Did he ever win a Super title? Not sure that matters as much with two RWC wins.

Bovidae

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="538919" data-time="1446548300">
<div>
What's left to do, really? Did he ever win a Super title? Not sure that matters as much with two RWC wins.
</div>
</blockquote>
 
Heading to France is a retirement plan for Nonu and Smith. They had their chance to finally win some silverware this year with the Canes and failed.

Nairobi

Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.

antipodean

Best All Black 12 ever. You can argue until the sun sets in the East if Tim Horan is better, but I wouldn't give a shit as long as I had either one in my team.

nostrildamus

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="538933" data-time="1446549754">
Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.</blockquote>
The student has become the master. 
And he'd look awesome in a Darth Vader getup with dreads showing...

antipodean

Nah, Predator bro:
 
<img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEOyeTtW0AASFqA.jpg" alt="CEOyeTtW0AASFqA.jpg">

nostrildamus

I think Darth's little mind choke gesture would be more fun in midfield against opponents and refs like Garces

Victor Meldrew

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="538906" data-time="1446547169">
<div>
I don't begrudge him leaving, I wonder how much cash the NZRFU offered him? Perhaps it wasn't about the money, he just wanted a change
</div>
</blockquote>
Always comes across as very much a family man. He's said it's time to move on and he obviously wants to earn some dosh and spend more time with his kids.

Victor Meldrew

<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="538933" data-time="1446549754">
<div>
Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.
</div>
</blockquote>
Yep. I can think of 1 or 2 who would challenge Conrad - e.g. Bruce Robertson & Bunce (no reflection on Conrad, we were blessed with those two and he still shades it) - but can't think of anyone who comes near to Ma'a as a 12.

The Silver Fern

Nonu