Ma'a Nonu's chances of playing Super Rugby next season appear to have taken a massive blow today with Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett saying that he will not sign the All Black midfielder for next season.
It is astonishing to think that our first choice All Black second five eighth and Rugby World Cup winner is not able to get into one of New Zealand's Super Rugby squads for next season for reasons that are not entirely known to the public.
Jamie Joseph has already hinted that Nonu will not be returning to the Highlanders - his one-year contract with them already finished - and with John Kirwan ruling out a return for Nonu after the midfielder ditched the Blues at the last minute, along with Chiefs and Crusaders coaches, Dave Rennie and Todd Blackadder also saying no to Nonu, a return home to the Hurricanes was a last resort.
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| Hammett and Nonu don't see eye to eye anymore |
Unfortunately, the same disagreements that Nonu had with current coach Mark Hammett appear to be unresolved and Nonu will not be playing Super Rugby in the capital next season.
It is likely now that Nonu will completely lost to Super Rugby this season and possibly the All Blacks depending on how long his overseas playing contract is - Nonu has a sabbatical clause in his All Blacks contract he can go overseas to play and still be available for the ABs if and when he returns to New Zealand.
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| Nonu has had his run ins in Super Rugby this year |
What is it with Nonu? I've met the guy at Les Mills Extreme here in Wellington many times and he seems like a good bloke. And most teammates seem to love working with Nonu. Is it the coaches? Is it the influence he brings? It's hard to say. But Nonu has always been a quite polarizing player even from his early days - let's not forget that he was that close to joining the Gold Coast Titans after missing out on the 2007 World Cup squad altogether.
Whatever the case, New Zealand rugby will be poorer without Nonu.
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