Ma'a Nonu facts for kids
.jpg)
Nonu in 2019
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth name | Ma'a Allan Nonu | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 21 May 1982 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Wellington, New Zealand | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 182 cm (6 ft 0 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 108 kg (238 lb; 17 st 0 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Rongotai College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative(s) | Jack Afamasaga (cousin) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Ma'a Allan Nonu (born 21 May 1982) is a famous professional rugby union player from New Zealand. He is known for playing as an inside centre, but he can also play as an outside centre or on the wing. He currently plays for Toulon in France.
Ma'a Nonu was a very important player for the All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team. He helped them win the Rugby World Cup in 2011 and again in 2015. This made him one of only a few players to win the Rugby World Cup more than once. Many people consider him one of the best centres to ever play rugby union.
Contents
Ma'a Nonu: Rugby Star
Early Life and Rugby Beginnings
Ma'a Nonu grew up in Wellington, New Zealand. He went to Strathmore Park Primary School and then Rongotai College. When he was younger, he played for a local club team called Oriental Rongotai. He also played for Wellington's school teams and the Under 19s team. Interestingly, he even played rugby league when he was a kid.
Starting His Professional Journey
Nonu began his professional rugby career in 2002, playing for Wellington in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). In 2003, he joined the Hurricanes in the Super 12 competition. His strong performances quickly caught the eye of national selectors.
Joining the All Blacks
On June 14, 2003, Ma'a Nonu made his first appearance for the All Blacks. He started as a centre in a match against England. Later that year, he was chosen for the 2003 Rugby World Cup squad. He played in several pool matches and scored his first try for the All Blacks against Canada. He was known for his powerful runs and ability to break through the opposing team's defense.
Key Moments in His All Blacks Career
After missing some selections, Nonu worked hard to get back into the All Blacks team. He played on the wing for a while and showed his skill by scoring three tries in one game against the Brumbies in 2005. He became known as one of New Zealand's most dangerous players in the midfield.
World Cup Victories
Ma'a Nonu was a crucial part of the All Blacks team that won the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He scored a try in their first match against Tonga. He also played in the exciting final against France, which the All Blacks won by a very close score of 8-7.
He continued to be a star player and was selected for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. He played in almost every game, including the final against Australia. In that final, he scored an amazing 50-meter solo try, helping the All Blacks win 34-17. This victory made him a two-time World Cup champion.
Playing for Different Clubs
After the 2011 Rugby World Cup, Nonu played for the Black Rams Tokyo in Japan for a short time. He then returned to New Zealand to play for the Blues in 2012. He later played for the Highlanders in 2013.
In 2014, he returned to the Blues again, showing his commitment to playing for the All Blacks. In 2015, he went back to his original Super Rugby team, the Hurricanes, before moving overseas.
Time in France and USA
After the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Ma'a Nonu joined the French club Toulon. He played there for several years. In 2019, he returned to the Blues for another Super Rugby season.
In October 2019, he moved to the United States to play for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby. He even became the captain of the team in 2022. He played his last game for the club in July 2024.
Return to Toulon and a New Record
Even though many thought he had played his last professional game, Ma'a Nonu surprised everyone in February 2025. At 42 years old, he re-signed with his former club Toulon in France. In March 2025, he played in a league game against Castres. By doing so, he became the oldest player ever to play in the Top 14, which is France's top rugby league!
Playing Style and Impact
Ma'a Nonu is famous for his powerful and explosive way of playing. He often broke through the opposing team's defense with his strong runs. Graham Henry, who coached the All Blacks to their 2011 World Cup win, called him "probably the best linebreaker in this game."
Many people compared his playing style to another great All Black centre, Tana Umaga. Like Umaga, Nonu was excellent at running with the ball and creating space for his teammates.
Personal Life and Healthy Choices
While playing in France for Toulon, Ma'a Nonu became a vegetarian. He said his son Michael was his inspiration. He noticed his son didn't like eating meat, so he decided to try eating the same way to support him.
Nonu believes that his vegetarian diet has helped him stay in great shape and fitness, even as he got older. He said it helped him physically and that he enjoyed it.
Honours and Awards
New Zealand:
Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) (2019) - This award recognizes his great service to rugby.
See also
In Spanish: Ma'a Nonu para niños
