All Blacks brace for Ma'a Nonu reunion
All Blacks prepare to face former star Ma’a Nonu after the 44-year-old was named on the Sharks bench for Tuesday’s Durban clash.
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The All Blacks are preparing for an unusual reunion when they face the Sharks at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Tuesday, with New Zealand legend Ma’a Nonu set to line up against his former international team.
The match will be New Zealand’s second fixture of the Greatest Rivalry tour following Friday’s 38-21 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Ma’a Nonu Set to Face All Blacks
The Sharks have named the 44-year-old Nonu among their replacements for the Durban encounter, creating one of the biggest talking points of the tour.
The two-time Rugby World Cup winner only joined the Sharks this week, primarily to mentor the franchise’s emerging players, but has immediately been handed an opportunity to take the field.
Nonu earned 103 Test caps for New Zealand and was a central figure in the All Blacks teams that won the 2011 and 2015 World Cups.
Patrick Tuipulotu Relishing Nonu Reunion
All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu admitted he had not expected to see his former international teammate named in the Sharks squad.
Tuipulotu, who captained New Zealand against the Stormers, said several members of the touring squad know Nonu well and are looking forward to potentially facing him.
He praised the veteran centre’s professionalism and longevity, describing the prospect of Nonu playing against the All Blacks as a “spectacle”.
“I didn’t expect him to be named,” said Tuipulotu.
“I’m certainly looking forward to it. A lot of the boys know him and are close to him.
“It’s no secret how long he’s played. His career has been this long because he is a true professional of the game and he has been blessed to keep playing.”
All Blacks Turn Attention to Sharks Clash
New Zealand head to Durban after beginning their South African tour with a 38-21 victory over the Stormers at DHL Stadium.
The Sharks fixture represents another opportunity for the All Blacks to test their squad against South African opposition before the Test portion of the Greatest Rivalry tour.
