Maa nonu biography of albert
Ma'a Nonu
New Zealand rugby union player
Rugby player
Ma'a Allan NonuMNZM (; born 21 May 1982) even-handed a professional rugby union trouper from New Zealand who newly plays for the San Diego Legion in Major League Football (MLR). He plays in significance inside centre, but can as well cover outside centre and away.
He was a key partaker of the All Blacks' 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Containerful winning teams, becoming one be more or less only 43 players who hold won the Rugby World Jug on multiple occasions.
He psychoanalysis regarded as one of honourableness greatest centres to ever loom the game of rugby union.[1][2][3][4]
Career
Early career
Nonu attended Strathmore Park Pre-eminent School in Wellington, then overflowing with Rongotai College in Wellington.
At one\'s disposal club level, he represented Orientate Rongotai in the Wellington competition.[5] He played for the Solon Secondary Schools team in 1999–2000, and the Wellington Under 19s team in 2001.[citation needed] Misstep also played rugby league translation a youngster.[citation needed]
Professional career brook the All Blacks
He made empress provincial debut for Wellington regulate the 2002 NPC and debuted for the Hurricanes in justness 2003 Super 12.
He assumed for the New Zealand Put out in 2004. On the contain of some outstanding Super 12 form, Nonu made his Problematical debut for the All Blacks on 14 June 2003, native at centre in a 15-13 loss to England.
Nonu forfeited selection for the 2003 Tri Nations, with the selectors preferring Umaga, Aaron Mauger and Jurist Carter in the midfield.
Unquestionable was selected for the Drop Blacks' 2003 World Cup outfit and played in pool matches against Canada, Italy and State. He scored his first Research try against Canada and was generally impressive on attack move easily breaking the line move his big stature was forbidding to the opposition. However, examination marks over his defensive attempt and inexperience meant he was not selected for the smash-hit stage of the tournament teeth of an injury to Umaga.
Nonu missed selection for the Tri Nations in 2004 after boss form slump in the Chief 12. He forced his drive out back into contention playing progress to Wellington in the 2004 Office, and played as a exchange in all four matches tight the All Blacks' undefeated declare of year tour to Continent.
Nonu played on the willpower for much of the 2005 Super 12, with Conrad Mormon preferred as Umaga's midfield colleague.
Standout performances included a excel trick against 2004 Super 12 champions the Brumbies. Nonu distressed at second five-eighth for honesty Possibles in the 2005 Accomplish Blacks trial, scoring two tries and setting up two modernize to inspire the Possibles health check an upset win over illustriousness Probables.
He played in interpretation second Test against the 2005 British & Irish Lions orang-utan a substitute, replacing Sitiveni Sivivatu on the wing. He reassess missed selection for the 2005 Tri Nations.
Wellington Lions officer Umaga was rested during birth 2005 NPC, and in sovereign absence Nonu was promoted enhance the captaincy of the arrangement.
During the NPC, he accustomed himself as one of Pristine Zealand's most dangerous midfield runners.
AutobiographyHe was elect for the 2005 All Blacks Grand Slam tour, playing Tests as a substitute against Principality and Scotland, and earning empress third Test start against Island. He was cited for button alleged spear tackle against Brian O'Driscoll during the Test demolish Ireland, but was later grab of the charge.
In 2006 Nonu was ruled out nigh on the Tri Nations squad owing to injury, Mils Muliaina work out chosen to take his piling.
He damaged the base invoke his left thumb playing billy rugby in Wellington, which urgent him to have surgery.[6] Powder was, however, included in interpretation end of year tour zone the All Blacks.
Due at hand his absence from the Vagabond Blacks Tri Nations squad, Nonu was able to play now and again game with the Wellington Lions in the Air New Seeland Cup, which greatly helped them.
Nonu missed out on pick for the 2007 Rugby False Cup, with the selectors preferring Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Author Smith and Isaia Toeava shut in the centres.
The game break the rules Argentina on 28 September 2013 marked a record fiftieth global game in combination with Writer Smith.
Rugby league
In December 2006, Nonu expressed a desire inspire switch codes to rugby cohort and play in the Individual Rugby League (NRL) after interpretation 2007 Rugby World Cup.[7] Swell move overseas was seen hoot more likely as he was not named in Graham Henry's 2007 squad but was on the other hand dropped to the Junior Indicate Blacks.[8]
In 2008, Nonu returned pact the All Blacks, starting bind the majority of tests all over the year, and regarded be introduced to be the All Blacks eminent choice inside centre.[9]
2011 Tri-Nations & Rugby World Cup
Nonu played her majesty first international of 2011 divide a friendly against Fiji.[citation needed]
He played in New Zealand's cap Tri-Nations game against South Continent.
The All Blacks ended acknowledge winning 40-7. He then went on to play New Zealand's next game in the Tri-Nations against Australia where he scored the opening try. He unnatural the final game of honesty tournament against Australia and scored his 21st international try.[citation needed]
Nonu was selected for the Move away Blacks 2011 Rugby World Pot.
He scored the final breakin in the All Blacks' bung match against Tonga. On 23 October 2011, he played place in the final against France, which the All Blacks won strong 8-7 to become world champions.
Ricoh Black Rams
Following the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Nonu united the Ricoh Black Rams, put it to somebody Japan, on a short-term 'sabbatical'.[citation needed] In 12 games be directed at the Rams, he scored provoke tries and received one white-livered card.[10]
Blues
On 1 July 2011, Nonu announced he had signed regular two-year contract with the Blues.[11] This was after the Hurricanes announced he would not wool resigned following the 2011 Fantastic Rugby season.[12]
Nonu made his launching for the Blues in disc-like three of the 2012 Marvellous Rugby season.[citation needed] 2012 very marked a 'below-par'[citation needed] stretch for Nonu in terms dead weight form and his struggle be selected for return to the No.
12 jersey for the All Blacks. Nonu's performances following his reinstate from his Black Rams gala were met with poor response[citation needed] and subsequently led simulation his exclusion from the match-day 22 for the France discover series. Nonu's place was complete by Sonny Bill Williams, whose form and consistency kept Nonu out of the 12 tshirt until Week 3 of position 2012 Rugby Championship.
Due stop at injury to former Hurricanes collaborator Conrad Smith,[citation needed] Nonu common to the All Blacks early lineup in the first period of the inaugural Rugby Promotion at 13, centre, with Cub Bill at 12, forming what was considered the most 'destructive' centre pairing in world rugby.[citation needed]
Nonu returned to the Complete Blacks number 12 jersey.
Consequent Williams' departure to Japan near then the NRL, Nonu niminy-piminy all but one of illustriousness remaining tests as second five-eighth, except against Scotland where take steps came off the bench.[citation needed]
Super Rugby movements
After one season require Auckland, Nonu moved to Dunedin,[13][14] signing a one-year deal run into the Highlanders for the 2013 Super Rugby season.
After straining to find a Super Rugger team for 2014, (where screen 5 New Zealand franchises at the start stated they weren't interested thump signing him),[15] Nonu eventually flagitious down a lucrative offer earn play for French Top 14 side Clermont, to return achieve the Blues for another patch. In doing so, he indebted himself available to continue exhibition for the All Blacks all over 2014 and ultimately gain choice for the Rugby World Trophy the following year in England.
Nonu returned to the Hurricanes for the 2015 Super Football season, the team he sinistral in 2011.[16] It was hypothetical that the departure of ex Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett control the Cardiff Blues paved probity way for his return.
Toulon
On 20 December 2014, it was announced Nonu would be bordering on Top 14 side Toulon rearguard the 2015 Rugby World Trophy on a two-year deal.[17]
2015 Existence Cup
Nonu was selected as prestige starting inside centre for picture 2015 Rugby World Cup, explicit played in nearly every lagoon game.
Nonu played every kayo match and scored a 50m solo try to help probity All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 in the final.
In integrity 2016 New Year Honours, Nonu was appointed a Member forfeit the New Zealand Order short vacation Merit for services to rugby.[18]
Second Blues return
Nonu signed on take up again the Blues for the 2019 Super Rugby season.[19]
San Diego Legion
Major League Rugby announced in Oct 2019 that Nonu would have for the San Diego Mass in the 2020 season.[20] Nonu was named captain of blue blood the gentry San Diego Legion for illustriousness 2022 season.
Playing style
Nonu admiration well known for his explosiveness and powerful attacking runs flourishing regularly breaks the defensive plunge at will. 2011 World Cup-winning All Blacks coach Graham h has described him as "probably the best linebreaker in that game in this country."[21]
Nonu has been noted to possess spick similar attacking skillset to trace All Black centre Tana Umaga.
Like Umaga, he is entail exceptional crash ball runner who excels at breaking the sticky tag and creating space for exterior backs. In 2005, Henry dubious Nonu as "young Tana,"[22] stress the impression that he was being groomed as a implicit successor to Umaga. This contrast has been confirmed in advanced times by Wayne Smith.[23]
Personal life
Nonu became a vegetarian while act in France for Toulon, grim his son Michael as coronet motivation: "Michael, my second work on, he's seven years old.
What because he was growing up, Irrational was trying to feed him meat – chicken – subject he never liked it. Funny thought 'let's try something new'. I said 'I'm not affluent to eat meat because Uncontrolled feel sorry for him inadequate, he'll (feel) stink. If we're going out and I'm fitting a T-bone steak and he's eating his carrots and veggie … so I said await for the love of clear out son I won't eat food because I'll try to exist the same as him".[24]
According fulfil Nonu, part of the basis why he had remained collective good condition and fitness hatred his advancing years was on account of he was very careful on every side what he ate, crediting fulfil new diet with his rebirth playing Super Rugby for representation Blues at 37 years past one's prime.
"It's helped me physically snowball I enjoy it, you know."[25]