Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?
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What happens if Ma'a Nonu makes Super Rugby his bitch in 2019? like he's the form midfielder...
Does he make the AB's or not? -
@westcoastie do we even know if he is making himself available? I guess we could assume it's an implied agreement upon signing a Super contract.
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This article suggests Ma'a Nonu is keen... Why Leon MacDonald got the Blues' top job
- Beauden
- Rieko
- Ma'a
- Goodhue
- Bender
- Dmac
2015 Ma'a > SBW or Laumape... but 2019 Ma'a is a great unknown....
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While he's had his issues with super rugby form and commitment, he knows exactly what's needed for the AB's. He'd also be under no illusions that he can just lace up his boots and expect to make the squad. If he can get into decent nick and show some form... yes please. At worst (even if his form is ok) he's putting extra heat on other 12 contenders, especially a high profile one at the Blues.
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He'd be better than SBW right now, though that's not saying much.
Crotty-Goodhue looks our best bet at the moment but there's a massive asterisk next to Crotty's fitness.
Regardless it's great to have him back in NZ.
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He will bring a lot of experience to the young Blues backline (I do not consider SBW among the youngs), especially to Tele'a, TJ Faiane and even Perofeta. I can only see positives in his selection. As far as All Blacks are concerned, I am more dubious as he seems to have lost his 2015 pace. However, none of the current AB 2nd Fives have his passing and tactical kicking.
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Has anyone returned from an overseas stint that wasn't a sabbatical and been of any value?
Working in his favour the positions centre spots aren't currently occupied (but may be on Sunday) so there is a chance, but Nonu's history and how late he is leaving his run make me weary.
It would be quite the thing though, he missed '07 so he wouldn't be going to join Brian Lima his fifth tournament but still bloody incredible to play in RWCs 16 years apart.
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@tim said in Blues 2019 - (New Head Coach):
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/rugby/news/article.cfm?c_id=80&objectid=12160852
Nonu returns hoping to make the RWC squad? Not many players come back as good as before, but if he has lost little of his abilities and he has the motivation I'd consider switching him in for SBW.....
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@rotated said in Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?:
Has anyone returned from an overseas stint that wasn't a sabbatical and been of any value?
Working in his favour the positions centre spots aren't currently occupied (but may be on Sunday) so there is a chance, but Nonu's history and how late he is leaving his run make me weary.
It would be quite the thing though, he missed '07 so he wouldn't be going to join Brian Lima his fifth tournament but still bloody incredible to play in RWCs 16 years apart.
Matt Todd
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@scribe said in Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?:
@rotated said in Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?:
Has anyone returned from an overseas stint that wasn't a sabbatical and been of any value?
Working in his favour the positions centre spots aren't currently occupied (but may be on Sunday) so there is a chance, but Nonu's history and how late he is leaving his run make me weary.
It would be quite the thing though, he missed '07 so he wouldn't be going to join Brian Lima his fifth tournament but still bloody incredible to play in RWCs 16 years apart.
Matt Todd
He hasn't returned.
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See how he goes first , if he is good enough , absolutely
my gut feeling is though, father time will have caught up to him and he wont quite be the same , happens to the best of us
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For most players, no, but as it's one of the greatest players to ever play the game, yes. Even if he's only 60-70% of the player he once was I'd still take him.
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@rotated said in Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?:
Has anyone returned from an overseas stint that wasn't a sabbatical and been of any value?
Working in his favour the positions centre spots aren't currently occupied (but may be on Sunday) so there is a chance, but Nonu's history and how late he is leaving his run make me weary.
It would be quite the thing though, he missed '07 so he wouldn't be going to join Brian Lima his fifth tournament but still bloody incredible to play in RWCs 16 years apart.
Leon MacDonald, Nonu, Kaino off the top of my head.
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It ain't a well trodden path coming back from so long over seas and getting back in black, but if he is playing good enough, then I'm in.
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@african-monkey said in Ma'a Nonu...RWC or nah?:
For most players, no, but as it's one of the greatest players to ever play the game, yes. Even if he's only 60-70% of the player he once was I'd still take him.
He's no ordinary player. Even his mentor Tana fell off a cliff in his last Super season. Nonu was brilliant right up until the day he walked away from the ABs. Let's see what he looks like when he gets back
