All Blacks midfielder Ma’a Nonu admits he’s feeling just a touch of angst as he prepares for his first Super Rugby season away from the Hurricanes.
Nonu joined his Blues team-mates this week after returning to New Zealand from a post-World Cup stint with Japanese club Ricoh Black Rams.
After nine seasons and 110 matches for the Hurricanes, he’s enjoying the challenge of adapting to new surroundings, although it can be disorientating.
“It’s good in terms of being in a place where you’re unsure of what’s going to happen,” the 66-Test All Black said on Wednesday.
“I’m nervous at the same time and a little scared, because I haven’t settled into Auckland yet.”
Nonu, 29, arrived from Japan last week in time to watch the Blues’ season-opening loss to the Crusaders at Eden Park and he recalled the feelings he had pre-game during his Hurricanes days.
“Normally on a Hurricanes bus, you’re feeling a bit of nerves or the butterflies,” he said.
“It’s kind of nervous in a different way, joining the Blues team, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Two of his Black Rams team-mates, Tamati Ellison and England loose forward James Haskell, both played in the Highlanders’ 23-19 win over the Chiefs last Saturday, just two days after flying in.
However, Nonu wasn’t considered for selection against the Crusaders or for Friday night’s match against the Chiefs to allow him to rest a couple of niggling injuries and to get up to speed with the Blues set-up.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
The question is whether SBW will still be in rugby for much longer. If all this Roosters talk is more than rumours, then the ABs won't select a player about to leave for the Rugby championship.
mania
Guest
u dreamin. why would nonu be scared? who exactly kept SBW out of the AB's starting lineup? SBW is a great athelete but nonu is, by light years, a better rugby player
allblackfan
Guest
scared of SBW!??! Don't make me laugh!!
Johnno
Guest
I agree rebel ranger. Ma Nonu and SBW are fierce rivalries, but are actually really good mates off the field. But they have not actually played against each other. Maybe Nonu is scared but also i think both players despite fans wanting it, want to avoid playing against each other becoz they both will have to get really physical, and have that strong personal rivalry and won't back down to each other. But would be great to see, last year 1 match was cancelled coz of the earthquake, and the the rematch 1 of them had a so called minor injury and pulled out. So come on boys square off and take each other on.
RebelRanger
Guest
Sounds more like a certain someone is scared of SBW..