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Opinionated Rugby Commentary - by Fans for Fans
Spill what you really think about events in the rugby world.
Should Ma'a Nonu Return to the Hurricanes? 10 views
16 July 2013 by The Swede Eaters
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Should problem child Ma'a Nonu return to the Hurricanes? What will happen to the Highlanders?
Ma'a Nonu looks set to leave the Highlanders after another disappointing Super Rugby campaign. The Highlanders finished bottom of the New Zealand conference and while Nonu was impressive for the All Blacks, he failed to ignite the Highlanders backline and like some of the other big name signings he was disappointing.
Nonu has a terrible reputation for being a part of underperforming teams, some may even refer to him as the poisoned chalice, it started with the Hurricanes and then he moved to the Blues and now the Highlanders, he is running out of teams to play for. The Chiefs don't want him, especially since they have their eyes on Sonny Bill Williams going forward. This leaves the Crusaders and the Hurricanes as other options. Nonu must play in New Zealand to be eligible for the All Blacks, so he really does have limited options.
The Crusaders have a history of getting the best out of some players when you look at the likes of Ron Cribb and Norm Berryman, but are they losing their touch with the likes of Robbie Fruean, Israel Dagg and Zac Guildford? Fruean could be out long term with his heart injury and so this would open up a space for a blockbusting midfielder like Nonu, but in some ways it could be better for Nonu to return to the capital.
Ma'a Nonu has spent most of his career in Wellington and his midfield combination with Conrad Smith is world class. The Hurricanes didn't get as much punch out of their midfield this season as they did in the past and were in some ways a bit disappointing in 2013. Bateman was solid but unspectacular, while I wonder if someone like Beauden Barrett would be more willing to stay in the Hurricanes if he had a more threatening ball runners around him.
The Highlanders 2013 season has been nothing but trouble and now they look set to lose several players from their failed 2013 campaign. Unfortunately the guys that are leaving like Hosea Gear, Tamati Ellison, Kade Poki and Colin Slade found some form for the southerners eventually when some of their team mates were struggling. They really need to develop more young players like TJ Ioane, Jason Emery and Elliot Dixon did this year.
They are now left to pick up the pieces. Most other teams had younger squads, but the Highlanders have too many older players. Losing Slade who they invested several seasons in is disappointing and given that the Crusaders will now have three quality first five eighths in Dan Carter's absence seems unfair. Barrett looks set to leave the Hurricanes for the Blues. This would leave the Highlanders and Hurricanes in a vulnerable position without a quality Number 10. Should the Highlanders try to lure Nick Evans back from Europe? Or should they try to get their hands on another problemed child like James O'Connor or Kurtley Beale from Australia? Benji Marshall from the West Tigers NRL team?
I think all of these options are risky with Evans being past his prime now and the others potentially being unreliable options either on or off the field.
Should Ma'a Nonu go to the Hurricanes? What should the Highlanders do now?
http://www.superrugbytips.com/2013/07/should-maa-nonu-return-to-hurricanes.html
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