Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ma’a Nonu

Ma’a Nonu, after his investiture as MNZM, for services to rugby, at Government House, Wellington,2019 photo by New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General Wikimedia

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ma’a Nonu

Ma’a Nonu who is a professional rugby union player, was born 1982. He is rugby player from New Zealand currently playing for the San Deigo Legion in Major League Rugby. Ma’a Nonu has been playing inside the center but he also covers the outside  center and wing.

Nonu attended Strathmore Park Primary School in Wellington, then attended Rongotai College in Wellington. At club level, he represented Oriental Rongotai in the Wellington competition.  He played for the Wellington Secondary Schools team in 1999–2000, and the Wellington Under 19s team in 2001. Ma’a Nonu  also played rugby league as a youngster.

 Here are the Top 10 Interesting Facts about Ma’a Nonu

1.Nonu made his Test debut for the All Black

Rugby World cup2011 photo by jeanfrancois beausejour Wikimedia

He made his provincial debut for Wellington in the 2002 NPC and debuted for the Hurricanes in the 2003 Super 12. He played for the New Zealand Sevens in 2004. On the back of some outstanding Super 12 form, Nonu made his Test debut for the All Blacks in 2003, starting at centre in a 15-13 loss to England.

2. He had once tackled a streaker

When a streaker took to the field at a 2003 NPC match between Wellington (who Nonu played for) and Taranaki. Nonu had tackled him in what he described at the time as a “spur of the moment decision”. He went on to suggest that streakers would be better off strutting their stuff at halftime, rather than disrupting games.

3.Ma’a Nonu played in Tri-Nations and the 2011 Rugby World Cup

rugby world cup 2011 photo by jeanfrancois beausejour Wikimedia

He played his first international of 2011 which was friendly against Fiji. Nonu also played in New Zealand first Tri- Nations game against  South Africa. And All Blacks ended up winning 40-7.

He later played New Zealand next game in the Tri-Nation which was against the Australia. This is where he scored the opening try. Ma’a Nonu also played in the final game of the tournament against Australia scoring his 21st international try.

Nonu was selected for the All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup. He scored the final try in the All Blacks’ opening match against Tonga.  In 2011, he played in the final against France, which the All Blacks won by 8-7 to become world champions.

4. Nonu has set a record as a second five- eighths

When Ma’a Nonu was moved to second Five-eighths was probably a good decision. In 2011, he set a new record for appearances at second five-eighth, with 49 (44 starts). The same year, he was also nominated for for the IRB Player of the Year Award in 2011, following a memorable performance at the Rugby World Cup.

5. He almost changed his switch codes

In 2006, Nonu expressed a desire to switch codes to rugby league and play in the National Rugby League (NRL) after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. A move overseas was seen as more likely as he was not named in Graham Henry’s 2007 squad but was instead dropped to the Junior All Blacks.

In 2008, Nonu returned to the All Blacks, starting in the majority of tests throughout the year, and regarded to be the All Blacks first choice inside center.

6. Ma’a Nonu was named as the greatest All Blacks Midfielders

Conrad Smith and Ma’a Nonu at the 2015 RWC All Blacks victory parade in Wellington photo by Pseudopanax Wikimedia

Nonu and Conrad Smith were named as the greatest All blacks midfielders of all-time by a panel of rugby experts and the Kiwi Public. The two have been widely-regarded as one of the best midfield combinations in the history of rugby, having paired with each other for the All Blacks, Hurricanes and Wellington throughout their respective careers.

At test level the duo have been incumbent All blacks midfielders between 2008 and 2015. Both have played key role in New Zealand back- to back world cup titles in 2011 and 2015.

7.He made a second East Coast Outing in Heartland championship

All Blacks s great Ma’a Nonu had extended his stint with Ngati Porou East Coast by making a second appearance for the provincial side in the Heartland Championship. He had made headline for making a surprise return to New Zealand rugby by helping East Coast break their 54 match.

8. With 103 test Ma’a Nonu has two world cup crown on his name

New Zealand rugby union player Ma’a Nonu and the rest of the All Blacks visit Christchurch during the Rugby World Cup. photo by Geoff Trotter Wikimedia

 Nonu who has been featured 14 times for the French Juggernuts in  the top 14 and European champion cup. He left the south of France to link back up with the legion. Ma’a Nonu played four times during the 2020 Major League Rugby season.

He has brought a wealth f experience to is role as a player coach. Nonu has 103 tests and two world cup crown to his name. He also won five Tri-nations/ rugby championships and eight Bledisole cups during his time with the All Black.

9.He made his debut for blue in round three of the 2012 super Rugby season

In 2011, Nonu announced he had signed a two-year contract with the Blues. This was after the Hurricanes announced he would not be resigned following the 2011 Super Rugby season.

Nonu made his debut for the Blues in round three of the 2012 Super Rugby season. In 2012 also marked a ‘below-par’season for Nonu in terms of form. And his struggle to return to the No. 12 jersey for the All Blacks.

His performances following his return from his Black Rams sabbatical were met with poor response and subsequently led to his exclusion from the match-day 22 for the France test series. Nonu’s place was filled by Sonny Bill Williams, whose form and consistency kept Nonu out of the 12 jersey until Week 3 of the 2012 Rugby.

10. Ma’a Nonu also participated in the 2015 World cup

New Zealand international rugby union player Maʻa Nonu during 2015 Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand at St. James’ Park, Newcastle upon Tyne. photo by quintinsmith_ip Wikimedia

Nonu was selected as the starting inside center for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he played in nearly every pool game. He  played every knockout match and scored a 50m solo try to help the All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 in the final.

And later in the 2016 New Year Honors, Nonu was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby.