Ma’a Nonu thrills Kings Park with a solo haka for the Sharks against the All Blacks
Advertisement
Read this article for free:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Digital Subscription
One year of digital access for only $205*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.
To continue reading, please subscribe:
Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional
$1 for the first 4 weeks*
- Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
- Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
- Access News Break, our award-winning app
- Play interactive puzzles
*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.
Read unlimited articles for free today:
or
Already have an account? Log in here »
DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — South African rugby teams love facing the haka. None have ever replied to New Zealand’s traditional pre-match challenge with another haka.
Until Tuesday.
Ma’a Nonu stepped in front of his new Sharks teammates and performed a solo haka in what will probably be the lasting memory of a tour match the New Zealanders won 54-0 at soggy Kings Park.
Nonu played 104 matches for New Zealand from 2003-15 and has continued playing around the world at age 44. The Sharks signed him a week ago to help develop their young players. Then as their injury list lengthened they drafted him onto the bench to face the All Blacks.
He was reluctant at first. He didn’t want to detract from the Sharks’ first match against the All Blacks in 30 years. He relented to help make up the numbers.
“I thought it would be rude to say no,” Nonu told broadcaster SuperSport. “I thought I would put the boots on and try to help the team really.”
For his first time facing the All Blacks, he talked to New Zealand assistant coaches Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison on Monday about replying to the All Blacks’ haka.
“Out of respect for our team and on behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks,” Nonu said.
So after lining up for the anthems, then watching the haka, he stood alone with the Sharks arrayed behind him, and the All Blacks lined up on the other side of halfway. He performed the All Blacks’ own haka, Kapa o Pango, to initial silence from the crowd and growing cheers.
Afterward, he nodded to the All Blacks, many of whom nodded back. Only Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett still play for New Zealand from Nonu’s last squad.
“It was such a privilege and an honor, and to do the haka, showing my respect on behalf of my family to the team I love,” Nonu said.
He got into the game with a quarter to go. His first touch was to clatter into flyhalf Ruben Love, who was 2 years old when Nonu debuted for New Zealand.
“I got 20 minutes. I tried my best. It was great to see the (New Zealand) boys,” he said.
“The All Blacks opened up in the last 30 minutes and I was chasing my tail. Credit to them, they’re improving, and all the best to the brothers for the next game.”
___
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby