It’s the year 2000. Your humble correspondent is a podgy, spotty faced school boy whose squeaky tenor is rapidly turning hoarse.
I am at St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream in Wellington crowded on an embankment with similarly delirious and odious smelling lads.
We are watching our First XV tackle Rongotai College in the annual traditional fixture.
These days are big. The entire school is let out of class for the afternoon to barrack for our boys.
We are expected to win but Rongotai College is always a dangerous opponent, despite our lopsided historical advantage.
They appear to be a tag of misfits, especially when contrasted with Silverstream boys.
Silverstream is a white, middle-class Catholic school. Our faces are clean shaven. Our uniforms are tidy and our hair does not extend beyond shoulder length. Our rugby teams play in a hard and calculated fashion. Later in the season we triumph in the local championship.
Rongotai are more cosmopolitan. Their uniforms are scruffy, shirts are untucked and some boys wear odd socks. Their supporters sing songs that don’t take the hallelujah out of hallelujah and their hair is liberally long. They play rugby with cheek. They can be super and shite in the same phase.
They are Silverstream’s anthesis.
With two minutes left Silverstream are up 24-19, uncomfortably close. We haven’t played well, but this team knows how to get it done.
Last play and this bloke with dreadlocks busts the defence. To us privileged doyleys he looks like an overaged Rastafarian bodybuilder.
He goes and he goes, surely not! He scores. We are all stunned.
Silence is temporary. The same bloke lines up the conversion to win the game. He can’t kick this. It would be blasphemy.
We taunt without mercy, Django Unchained suddenly sounds like Sesame Street. The ball leaves the tee and like a dagger through the heart sails down the middle of the posts. Rongotai wins 26-24.
Fast forward fifteen years and that Rongotai heathen will play his 100th Test for the All Blacks on Friday.
Ma’a Nonu once described himself as an enigma – and that he is.
He is the most yellow carded player in Super Rugby history and one its most capped nomads.
He was loathed by the most fabled franchise. The Crusaders didn’t want a bar of him, yet he happily carries the water for his Wellington club team, Oriental Rongotai.
He once took umbrage at a critical match report. Quizzed on why he was so upset, he said it was because his parents had read it.
Then there was mascara, Colin Meads heart rate soared.
In 2007 Nonu was omitted from the All Blacks World Cup squad.
The relative lightweights of Aaron Mauger, Luke McAlister, Isaia Toeava and Mils Muliaina (it’s true) were the preferred midfield stocks.
After four seasons, and 19 Tests, the then 25-year-old appeared finished.
Since 2008, Nonu has played 81 of the All Blacks 104 Tests. He has started 83 Tests overall and won 87 times.
He has shared the midfield with Conrad Smith 55 times. Their respective nicknames ‘the Snake’ and ‘the Rock’ capture their opposing styles perfectly.
Smith is silky. Nonu is a bully. Smith outwits you. Nonu hurts you.
Nonu has matured into the complete footballer. He has always been explosive with and without the ball, but now those attributes are complemented by deceptively light feet, a precise and varied kicking game and a greater all-around astuteness.
In 2011 he won the William Webb Ellis trophy and was on the shortlist for IRB World player of the year.
The All Blacks have produced some fairly handy second-fives over the years. Warwick Taylor, Ian MacRae, Walter Little and Bert Cooke immediately spring to mind.
Do those names strike fear into the opposition like Nonu?
Do those names boast the longevity of success Nonu has enjoyed?
Nonu has polarised. He has upset the apple cart.
He is the magnificent misfit who fits.
I only wish I appreciated that 15 years ago.
taylorman
Roar Guru
This is not rugby league NB, it's not about pressure or big game temperament, it's about holding down the eighty minutes as a starting 12 in combination with Smith and Carter from a skill and experience perspective. SBW operates more of as an individual and less within a combination with the other two. Anyway, tired of talking about this, you're off the mark if you think SBWs the front runner. But with Nonus shoulder injury. SBW might get the nod if he stays out, but if Nonu returns from injury he'll play the knockouts. For me it's no longer about being right, we have two great players in the position who both offer great options and no other side had anywhere near the calibre of either player so no pointing in splitting hairs. On another note great to see McCaw coming out and saying the AB performances so far have been dismal. Exactly the point I was making earlier. We should be operating a much higher levels than we have been. Time to step it up.
Kiwi in US
Guest
It was both initially and then the son. I can't remember Fr Blake's last year coaching. 82 or 83. I think the father came and assisted Fr Blake before Fr Walls and the son took the reins. Those were some awesome years going to watch Wellington play at Athletic Park.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Was that wayne or mark. The Dad was a coach as well and also in the job i recall. I was at s'stream in the early 70s but only for 6th form as a boarder. Mark and his brother were there at the same time. Aside from the politics '81 was a good time for most of us. First time the admin looked after us with proper food on ops including buckets of oysters etc !! . plus they gave us shiny new toys (pr24) to play with ! Though i didn't get to see a single game live due to working out on the street and at the SA embassy. I have a rugby ball here signed by the '81 ABs, all except Mexted and he was the only AB from my club ! (wellington club)
Phantom
Roar Rookie
Not even close in skills.
Not Bothered
Guest
Again. SBW rules and rules for everyone else. But Hansen would never pick SBW ahead of Nonu...again. As for the rest of your post, youve completely made every part of it up. SBW has not been mainly a supporting or sub player. Thats nonsense and easily proven so if you bother to watch the ABs games or check stats/results. Since 2012 he has started 12 of the 15 games he has been up for. Why do people just make stuff up when they dont like reality? Do you think its going to convince me or do you think you have the ability to change past events? Its dellusional no matter what. But SBW has never been selected ahead of Nonu, except for when Hansen stated that SBW had earned the right to start ahead of Nonu in 2012. For some reason people like you think SBW exists in some world you have invented where normal selection processes dont apply. Mind you you were right, Nonu, the master of 80 mins went off against Arg at 45 mins and came on for SBW at around 70 mins against Namibia. How about talking to me as if you cant change the real world with your thoughts, as if real things that happen do happen. If SBW earns selection ahead of Nonu he might get selected, thats normal. Whats not normal is trying to say SBW doesnt have enough big match experience when hes had WC, a NRL final with the Bulldogs and Roosters, a Super Rugby final with the Saders and the Chiefs, a league WC final and numerous Bledisloe and RC matches. However, I dont need to say this because this is happening.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Well that's a little bit of a stretch. He's a professional and should have coped better with the move. Hammet didn't consign Nonu to two poor years of SXV rugby. Nonu took that on himself once he took the contract on, begrudgingly or not.
Not Bothered
Guest
I thought as much. SBW rules and rules for everyone else.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Nah. No way Hansen will put Sonny bill in ahead of Nonu if Nonu is 100% fit in the knockouts. You're dreaming, and you won't find many that will subscribe to you that thinking, no matter how much you harp on about it. Sure we are lucky to have them both but the AB A game has been built around the Smith, Nonu pairing, the most successful the game has ever seen. Nonu was first choice in 2011 and scored in the semi final and has since become a better player. SBW has been largely a supporting, sub or impact player. He has not mastered the 80 minute role that Nonu has built up over his career, nor has he ever been favoured on a straight out head to head selection when Hansen has wanted his best on the field. Nonu will be selected at 12 in the knockouts if he's 100% no matter what SBW does before then. Pressure on him is good, but that's all it is. Nonu is so far in the running as one of the players of the year, SBW isn't. Gut feel on that one, but SBW has not played a better match for the ABs as Nonu did at Eden park. Ever.
Not Bothered
Guest
Whos Tim Horan?
taylorman
Roar Guru
He was delayed in getting to the tournament, don't know why.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah...he does. The others are fine.
Not Bothered
Guest
Not to take anything away from SBW but lets just put it in perspective. What SBW did against Arg was "easy" because Nonu "softened" the Argies up and SBW is a bench player perfect for coming on when the oposition has run out of puff. But Im not trying to take anything away from SBW. Im just glad they "brought him along". Ermm, thats exactly what your entire post was trying to do mate, trying very hard to take it all away from SBW. SBW is starting against Georgia at 12. If he excells again the pressure will be on Nonu to prove he deserves the spot ahead of SBW.
Kiwi in US
Guest
I was at stream too from 81-85, from the back blocks. Was a border and very impressed with the 20 rugby teams the school had from 600 odd kids. 81 was a tough year for rugby. After Fr Blake finished coaching Fr Walls took over with the assistance of another man in Blue. Mr. Guppy. Those guys in blue in 1981 had their hands full in that year. Thanks.
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
How hilarious was the English 'World Cup XV of all time' naming Nonu over Tim Horan. I'd bet most Kiwi's could answer that question truthfully.
Pita
Guest
Porirua College is a bit 'ruffer'.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Adam, thanks for the article. It 'humanises' Nonu.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Dante, a worthy and respectful post
Pita
Guest
Epic. I went to Tawa college in the late 90s, so was very envious of the city rivalries. The late JC was a few years older than me and initially a Tawa boy before being pinched by st pats town and the rest is history.
Playmaker
Guest
Rongotai College is not that " ruff " according to my workmates from NZ.
Coconut
Guest
Its pretty easy for SBW after Nonu softened the Argies up and they were dead on their feet.... not to take anything from SBW, he does look like he's coming good - but we need a bit of perspective here... I think it was good bringing SBW along, when originally I didn't think he warranted it... I'm happy to be proven wrong. He is a game breaker, and puts the defence in two minds - the perfect impact player to come on when players have run out of puff.