He knows every movement, every shout, every second of the ritual. On Tuesday at Kings Park, Ma’a Nonu will watch it for the first time from the other side.
The haka, seen from the other side
One hundred and three Tests in the black jersey, two World Cups, and the same ritual before every kick-off. On Tuesday night in Durban, Ma’a Nonu will be on the other side of the line.
The New Zealand centre, who turned 44 on 21 June, wears the number 23 shirt for the Sharks in the second match of the tour billed as Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. His coach JP Pietersen, a former teammate at Toulon, knows what the moment means for his players and for Nonu: “It’s a big occasion for the union, and also for the players who will face the haka. It’s massive.”
And on his veteran in particular: “It will be an emotional game for Ma’a, because I think it’s the first time he’s played against the All Blacks.”
His last game in black was eleven years ago
Nonu last wore the All Blacks jersey on 31 October 2015 at Twickenham, in the World Cup final against Australia. He scored a second-half try that day, and New Zealand became the first nation to retain the trophy.
His international debut came in June 2003 against England. Twenty-three years separate his first cap from tonight’s match. Players who were not born when he first played for his country are now established professionals.
He was playing Top 14 three months ago
This is no comeback from retirement. Nonu has just finished a full season at Toulon.
| Season | Top 14 | Tries | European Cup |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-16 | 16 | 4 | 6 |
| 2016-17 | 23 | 3 | 7 |
| 2017-18 | 19 | 5 | 6 |
| 2020-21 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024-25 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 2025-26 | 10 | 3 | 1 |
In all, 108 matches for the Toulon side: 87 in the Top 14, including 70 starts and 16 tries, plus 21 in European competition. Last season, aged 43, he still played ten league matches and scored three tries.
A selection that divides opinion
Nonu joined the Sharks this summer in a mentoring role with the young players. His inclusion in the squad to face the All Blacks has ruffled feathers locally, with several voices arguing that he is taking the place of a youngster who may never get another chance to take on New Zealand.
Pietersen responded at his press conference: “His name says it all, and so does what he has achieved. What Ma’a brings is experience. He has been invaluable in helping Jurenzo Julius, Litelihle Bester and Siyaya with how to prepare for and approach a game.”
The coach also pointed out that his specialist centres are unavailable: Andre Esterhuizen and Ethan Hooker are on duty with the Springboks. On the eve of the match, Vincent Tshituka was ruled out with concussion and Emile van Heerden picked up an injury, with Deon Slabbert and Corne Rahl coming in.
For New Zealand, scrum-half Cameron Roigard has been withdrawn from the squad as a precaution with a calf problem. Kyle Preston starts at number 9, with Cortez Ratima on the bench.
Pietersen showed his players footage from the last tour to help them grasp the occasion: “It goes back thirty years. We showed them a video from that time so they understand how huge it is to be part of this.”
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