37 Facts About Ma'a Nonu

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.

Ma'a Nonu plays in the inside centre, but can cover outside centre and wing.

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.

Ma'a Nonu is regarded as one of the greatest centres to ever play the game of rugby union.

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.

Ma'a Nonu was selected for the All Blacks' 2003 World Cup squad and played in pool matches against Canada, Italy and Tonga.

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.

Ma'a Nonu missed selection for the Tri Nations in 2004 after a form slump in the Super 12.

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.

Ma'a Nonu played on the wing for much of the 2005 Super 12, with Conrad Smith preferred as Umaga's midfield partner.

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.

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.

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.

In 2006 Ma'a Nonu was ruled out of the Tri Nations squad due to injury, Mils Muliaina being chosen to take his place.

Ma'a Nonu damaged the base of his left thumb playing club rugby in Wellington, which required him to have surgery.

Ma'a Nonu was included in the end of year tour with the All Blacks.

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.

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.

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.

Ma'a Nonu played his first international of 2011 in a friendly against Fiji.

Ma'a Nonu played in New Zealand's first Tri-Nations game against South Africa.

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.

Ma'a Nonu played the final game of the tournament against Australia and scored his 21st international try.

Ma'a Nonu was selected for the All Blacks 2011 Rugby World Cup.

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Ma'a Nonu scored the final try in the All Blacks' opening match against Tonga.

On 1 July 2011, Ma'a Nonu announced he had signed a two-year contract with the Blues.

Ma'a Nonu made his debut for the Blues in round three of the 2012 Super Rugby season.

Ma'a Nonu's performances following his return from his Black Rams sabbatical were met with poor response and subsequently led to his exclusion from the match-day 22 for the France test series.

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.

Ma'a Nonu returned to the Hurricanes for the 2015 Super Rugby season, the team he left in 2011.

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.

Ma'a Nonu was selected as the starting inside centre for the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he played in nearly every pool game.

Ma'a Nonu signed on with the Blues for the 2019 Super Rugby season.

Ma'a Nonu was named captain of the San Diego Legion for the 2022 season.

Ma'a Nonu is well known for his explosiveness and powerful attacking runs and regularly breaks the defensive line at will.

Ma'a Nonu has been noted to possess a similar attacking skillset to former All Black centre Tana Umaga.