Nonu the heir to Umaga?
10 Feb 2006
The Kiwi press were spellbound by Ma’a Nonu’s second half cameo at inside centre against the Blues in the Vodacom Super 14 opener.
Respected writer Marc Hinton, writing on Xtramsn.co.nz, reflected the Kiwi public’s perception of Nonu’s display.
“If Ma’a Nonu isn’t the carbon copy replacement for Tana Umaga then my eyes are deceiving me,” Hinton writes. “Sure he’s got a few rough edges to smooth out between now and France 2007, but who hasn’t?
“It was Nonu, after all, whom Graham Henry last year dubbed Mini Tana because of their similarities, not just in looks, but in playing style. And it has to be said when Umaga trudged off in the 56th minute, having applied a finishing flourish of a try to a fairly ordinary performance by his high standards, the man who moved into his position illuminated the match.”
Hinton’s enthusiasm is understandable, but Nonu’s one-dimensional approach on the end-of-year tour when afforded the opportunity in the midfield – against Ireland and Scotland – cannot be simply washed away on the back of a solitary performance.
Nonu’s ability to break the tackle is near unmatched in New Zealand rugby, but the far more disciplined and tight Test match defences may yet see him consigned to the wing.
Henry has traditionally favoured brain over brawn in jersey 12, and unless Nonu’s explosivness is matched by consistency as the campaign unfolds, the smart money would be on Aaron Mauger still holding claim.
14 Comments
10 Feb 2006, 12:59 pm
Well, he deliverd when it mattered
Go ‘Canes- Done Auckland
10 Feb 2006, 13:01 pm
Hell yes, I’ve always rated him highly. Dont always understand why they dont use him more in the midfield.
10 Feb 2006, 13:02 pm
Shame the Aussie are one down in cricket finals
10 Feb 2006, 13:02 pm
Personally i think Mauger or Condrad Smith would be a far better bet – brains before that behemouth !
10 Feb 2006, 13:10 pm
surely Nonu’s best position is 13 anyways. Tana’s position in the AB team.
10 Feb 2006, 13:13 pm
15. Leon MacDonald/Mils Muliaina
14. Rico Gear/Joe Rocococo
13. Aron Mauger/Conrad Smith
12. Ma’a Nonu
11. Sitivini Sivivatu/ Doug Howlet
10. Daniel Carter/Luke MacAlister
9. Pirie Weepu/Byron Kellerher
God if SA only had half the quality the All Blacks had??
10 Feb 2006, 13:29 pm
great player, more physical than umaga, very different players, hinton’s talking crud.
10 Feb 2006, 13:55 pm
think i’d stick with nonu on the wing. maybe move him to centre some time after te world cup.
10 Feb 2006, 13:57 pm
Ig, i see we all on 0 in superbru. lol
10 Feb 2006, 14:09 pm
I personally like the smith – nonu centre combo with nonu at 13. Really not a fan of mauger a skillful player but really poor on defence.
10 Feb 2006, 15:09 pm
Zinto
Only the #10 is better than our backline. Don’t talk quality if you don’t know what you talking about.
10 Feb 2006, 17:07 pm
Yes Zinto, go and suck TheTackler please.
10 Feb 2006, 17:13 pm
Eyeliner?
10 Feb 2006, 20:00 pm
Personally:
I’d have McCallister in at 12 and Smith at 13. Nonu as impact player off the bench. Mauger is good with ball in hand, but Boks know to target him in the defensive line, Mauger is a very poor and weak tackler. Brains before beast IMO, enjoy the S14 guys.
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