Ma'a Nonu

Ma'a Allan Nonu (; born 21 May 1982 in Wellington, New Zealand) is a professional rugby union player of Samoan descent from New Zealand. Nonu plays for the Wellington Lions in the ITM Cup and the New Zealand All Blacks. He plays in the second-five eighth position (called inside centre in Europe), but can also cover (outside) centre and wing.

Background

Nonu is known for his blonde-streaked dreadlocks and former penchant for wearing eyeliner on the field. He is equally well-known for his explosiveness and powerful attacking runs and regularly breaks the defensive line at will. All Blacks coach Graham Henry has described him as "probably the best linebreaker in this game in this country."

Nonu has a similar attacking skillset to former All Black centre Tana Umaga. Like Umaga, he is an exceptional crash ball runner who excels at breaking the line and creating space for outside backs. In 2005, Henry described Nonu as "young Tana," by Daryl Fenemor, One Sport website, September 15, 2005, retrieved December 2, 2005. underlining the impression that he was being groomed as a potential successor to Umaga. This comparison has been confirmed in recent times by Wayne Smith.

Career

Early career

Nonu attended Strathmore Park Primary School in Wellington, then he attended Rongotai College in Wellington. He played for Wellington Secondary Schools in...
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