Ma'a Nonu will launch his New Zealand rugby comeback in the less familiar midfield position of centre for the Blues in Saturday night's season opener against the Crusaders at Eden Park.
New head coach Leon MacDonald has paired Nonu outside Auckland provincial skipper TJ Faiane in his midfield for the Super Rugby kickoff, leaving All Black Sonny Bill Williams to make his first impact off the bench after being unavailable for the pre-season under national player restrictions.
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Nonu, who turns 37 in May, is making a return to New Zealand rugby after departing at the end of the 2015 season to take up a contract with Toulon in France. The 103-test dual World Cup winner has said he is motivated to contend for an All Blacks jersey in 2019, and appears in prime shape to give it a crack.
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* Nonu wants to be an AB again
It's interesting that Nonu, who played most of his top-level rugby in New Zealand at No 12, gets his first shot at 13. If he and Williams are to eventually start together, it's likely he will be best suited to the outside role. This will be his competition-leading 161st Super Rugby appearance.
MacDonald has named a strong starting lineup featuring current All Blacks Rieko Ioane, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dalton Papalii, with props Ofa Tu'ungafasi and new signing Karl Tu'inukuafe joining Williams on the bench.
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'I haven't thought about stopping' – Ma'a Nonu not ready to retire yetSharePlay Video1 NEWSStill going strong at 36, midfielder Ma'a Nonu is in preparation for his third stint with the Blues franchise.
Auckland provincial standout Melani Nanai gets the nod on the right wing for the opener against the defending champions, while another key member of that Premierhsip-winning outfit, Jonathan Ruru, shades Augustine Pulu for the starting halfback's job.
First five-eighths Otere Black finally gets to start a Super Rugby game for his new franchise after sitting out the entire 2018 season while he rebuilt his repaired knee. Youngster Harry Plummer provides the 10 cover on the bench, with Stephen Perofeta (pectoral muscle) on an already lengthy injured list.
Up front Papalii has been handed a chance to impress as the starting No 7 in co-captain Blake Gibson's absence with an ankle injury, while highly rated rookie Tom Robinson slots in on the blindside flank where he is expected to offer plenty.
Ma'a Nonu still has ambitions to play for All BlacksSharePlay Video1 NEWSAll Blacks great Ma'a Nonu says he'll take it "one step at a time" as he gears up for his Super Rugby return.Tuipulotu will lead the side from the second row, where he will pair with Northland workhorse Josh Goodue, while internationals Tu'ungafasi and Tu'inukuafe will get their first action of the year off the bench after being forced to sit out the pre-season under All Blacks protocols.
Akira Ioane will run out at No 8 for his 50th appearance for the franchise (49 in Super Rugby and the famous victory over the British and Irish Lions). The talented loose forward has played in every Super Rugby game for the Blues over the last two seasons.
Alex Hodgman and Sione Mafileo will bookend the experienced James Parsons in the starting front row, though there will be plenty of interest in the impact the power combination of Tu'ungafasi and Tu'inukuafe can make off the bench.
Joining Gibson and Perofeta on the unavailable list are Leni Apisai (neck), Jed Brown (calf), Ezekiel Lindenmuth (knee), Sam Nock (calf), Jacob Pierce (ankle), Jimmy Tupou (knee), Jordan Trainor (thigh), Matt Duffie (hamstring) and Scott Scrafton (knee).
Saturday night's match will kick off at 7.35pm with plenty of interest in the performance of the rebuilding Blues against a Crusaders side that will be down a few heavy-hitters for the early rounds.
AT A GLANCE
Blues: Michael Collins, Melani Nanai, Ma'a Nonu, TJ Faiane, Rieko Ioane, Otere Black, Jonathan Ruru; Akira Ioane, Dalton Papalii, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Patrick Tuipulotu (capt), Sione Mafileo, James Parsons, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Matt Moulds, Karl Tu'inukuafe, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, Matt Matich, Augustine Pulu, Harry Plummer, Sonny Bill Williams.
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Surprising that he is not starting at 12, although it appears Sonny Bill Williams may be injured - otherwise, he might be starting at 12 so this might be a combination thing. However, does Nonu have the pace to play at 13 in Super rugby , let alone test level? He is going to be 37 in 3 months time.
The question is will the forward pack be competitive. Usually they have a soft underbelly, especially in South Africa where they routinely get bullied.
