Ma'a Allan Nonu is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand who currently plays for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
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Ma'a Allan Nonu is a professional rugby union player from New Zealand who currently plays for the San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
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Ma'a Nonu plays in the inside centre, but can cover outside centre and wing.
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Ma'a Nonu was a key member of the All Blacks' 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cup winning teams, becoming one of only 21 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions.
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Ma'a Nonu is regarded as one of the greatest centres to ever play the game of rugby union.
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Ma'a Nonu made his provincial debut for Wellington in the 2002 NPC and debuted for the Hurricanes in the 2003 Super 12.
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Ma'a Nonu missed selection for the 2003 Tri Nations, with the selectors preferring Umaga, Aaron Mauger and Daniel Carter in the midfield.
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Ma'a Nonu scored his first Test try against Canada and was generally impressive on attack and easily breaking the line and his big stature was intimidating to the opposition.
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Ma'a Nonu missed selection for the Tri Nations in 2004 after a form slump in the Super 12.
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Ma'a Nonu forced his way back into contention playing for Wellington in the 2004 NPC, and played as a substitute in all four matches on the All Blacks' undefeated end of year tour to Europe.
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Ma'a Nonu played on the wing for much of the 2005 Super 12, with Conrad Smith preferred as Umaga's midfield partner.
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Ma'a Nonu played at second five-eighth for the Possibles in the 2005 All Blacks trial, scoring two tries and setting up two more to inspire the Possibles to an upset win over the Probables.
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Ma'a Nonu was selected for the 2005 All Blacks Grand Slam tour, playing Tests as a substitute against Wales and Scotland, and earning his third Test start against Ireland.
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Ma'a Nonu was cited for an alleged spear tackle against Brian O'Driscoll during the Test against Ireland, but was later cleared of the charge.
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In 2006 Ma'a Nonu was ruled out of the Tri Nations squad due to injury, Mils Muliaina being chosen to take his place.
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Ma'a Nonu damaged the base of his left thumb playing club rugby in Wellington, which required him to have surgery.
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Ma'a Nonu missed out on selection for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, with the selectors preferring Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Conrad Smith and Isaia Toeava in the centres.
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In December 2006, Ma'a Nonu expressed a desire to switch codes to rugby league and play in the National Rugby League after the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
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In 2008, Ma'a Nonu returned to the All Blacks, starting in the majority of tests throughout the year, and regarded to be the All Blacks first choice inside centre.
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Ma'a Nonu played his first international of 2011 in a friendly against Fiji.
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Ma'a Nonu played in New Zealand's first Tri-Nations game against South Africa.
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Ma'a Nonu then went on to play New Zealand's next game in the Tri-Nations against Australia where he scored the opening try.
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Ma'a Nonu played the final game of the tournament against Australia and scored his 21st international try.
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Ma'a Nonu scored the final try in the All Blacks' opening match against Tonga.
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On 1 July 2011, Ma'a Nonu announced he had signed a two-year contract with the Blues.
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Ma'a Nonu made his debut for the Blues in round three of the 2012 Super Rugby season.
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Ma'a Nonu's place was filled by Sonny Bill Williams, whose form and consistency kept Ma'a Nonu out of the 12 jersey until Week 3 of the 2012 Rugby Championship.
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Ma'a Nonu returned to the Hurricanes for the 2015 Super Rugby season, the team he left in 2011.
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On 20 December 2014, it was announced Ma'a Nonu would be joining Top 14 side Toulon after the 2015 Rugby World Cup on a two-year deal.
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Ma'a Nonu was selected as the starting inside centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he played in nearly every pool game.
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Ma'a Nonu was named captain of the San Diego Legion for the 2022 season.
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Ma'a Nonu is well known for his explosiveness and powerful attacking runs and regularly breaks the defensive line at will.
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Ma'a Nonu has been noted to possess a similar attacking skillset to former All Black centre Tana Umaga.
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