Nonu
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<p>Been a fan of Nonu for years and have to admit a great sense of satisfaction at Nonu's performance this RWC and his try in the Final was just the icing on the cake for me</p>
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<p>There was a time when you cringed when he came on but sometime in '08/09 you started to feel relieved when he came on and by 2010/11 he had matured into one of the few players like Carter & McCaw you thought "Oh Shit" when he wasn't available - not that it happened often, for a big bloke in a tough contact area who was as physical as hell, he was rarely injured</p>
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<p>Seemed like a complex character at times and he had a bit of rough time in S15 but worked thru that and it was always a case of all hell breaking loose when he pulled on the Black jersey. Who can forget this:</p>
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<p>If you measure a player's worth by what he puts back into the jersey, Ma'a would near the top of any list. Not just for his play but for the way he handles himself - making sure that on his 100th Test, JdV got his 12 shirt after breaking his arm being an example of his class.</p>
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<p>His replacement has big shoes to fill</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="dejo" data-cid="538312" data-time="1446427892"><p>Nonu probably should be player of the year</p></blockquote>12s don't usually get the glory do they?!
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Victor Meldrew" data-cid="538585" data-time="1446473704">
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<p>Been a fan of Nonu for years and have to admit a great sense of satisfaction at Nonu's performance this RWC and his try in the Final was just the icing on the cake for me</p>
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<p>There was a time when you cringed when he came on but sometime in '08/09 you started to feel relieved when he came on and by 2010/11 he had matured into one of the few players like Carter & McCaw you thought "Oh Shit" when he wasn't available - not that it happened often, for a big bloke in a tough contact area who was as physical as hell, he was rarely injured</p>
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<p>Seemed like a complex character at times and he had a bit of rough time in S15 but worked thru that and it was always a case of all hell breaking loose when he pulled on the Black jersey. Who can forget this:</p>
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<p>If you measure a player's worth by what he puts back into the jersey, Ma'a would near the top of any list. Not just for his play but for the way he handles himself - making sure that on his 100th Test, JdV got his 12 shirt after breaking his arm being an example of his class.</p>
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<p>His replacement has <strong>big shoes to fill</strong></p>
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<p>Only one shoe to fill in that clip.</p> -
<p>he is our best attacking weapon and has been for some time.</p>
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<p>Now a double world cup winner I believe he is our best 2nd 5 of all time and in my eyes the greatest ever. At the very least, be on a par with Tim Horan.</p>
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<p>He will be missed. What a great All Black</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="da_grubster" data-cid="538871" data-time="1446540431">
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<p>he is our best attacking weapon and has been for some time.</p>
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<p>Now a double world cup winner I believe he is our best 2nd 5 of all time and in my eyes the greatest ever. At the very least, be on a par with Tim Horan.</p>
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<p>He will be missed. What a great All Black</p>
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<p>And still at the top of his game. The guy is a machine, Toulon are getting some player</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="538887" data-time="1446544088">
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<p>And still at the top of his game. The guy is a machine, Toulon are getting some player</p>
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<p>And I think this is the sad part , Nonu is still at the peak of his powers , </p>
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<p>If he was around next year , a backline of ASmith - Cruden - Nonu - Fekitoa is still a fucking strong one , take out Nonus name and it doesnt have the same look </p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="kiwiinmelb" data-cid="538904" data-time="1446546895"><p>And I think this is the sad part , Nonu is still at the peak of his powers , <br>
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If he was around next year , a backline of ASmith - Cruden - Nonu - Fekitoa is still a fucking strong one , take out Nonus name and it doesnt have the same look<br></p></blockquote>I don't begrudge him leaving, I wonder how much cash the NZRFU offered him? Perhaps it wasn't about the money, he just wanted a change -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="NTA" data-cid="538919" data-time="1446548300">
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<p>What's left to do, really? Did he ever win a Super title? Not sure that matters as much with two RWC wins.</p>
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<p>Heading to France is a retirement plan for Nonu and Smith. They had their chance to finally win some silverware this year with the Canes and failed.</p> -
<p>Best All Black 12 ever. You can argue until the sun sets in the East if Tim Horan is better, but I wouldn't give a shit as long as I had either one in my team. </p>
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="538933" data-time="1446549754"><p>
Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.</p></blockquote>
The student has become the master.<br>
And he'd look awesome in a Darth Vader getup with dreads showing... -
<p>Nah, Predator bro:</p>
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<p><img src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEOyeTtW0AASFqA.jpg" alt="CEOyeTtW0AASFqA.jpg"></p> -
I think Darth's little mind choke gesture would be more fun in midfield against opponents and refs like Garces
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<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="canefan" data-cid="538906" data-time="1446547169">
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<p>I don't begrudge him leaving, I wonder how much cash the NZRFU offered him? Perhaps it wasn't about the money, he just wanted a change</p>
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<p>Always comes across as very much a family man. He's said it's time to move on and he obviously wants to earn some dosh and spend more time with his kids.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="Nairobi" data-cid="538933" data-time="1446549754">
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<p>Greatest 12 in my eyes as well. Now clearly past Tana as a 12.</p>
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<p>Yep. I can think of 1 or 2 who would challenge Conrad - e.g. Bruce Robertson & Bunce (no reflection on Conrad, we were blessed with those two and he still shades it) - but can't think of anyone who comes near to Ma'a as a 12.</p> -
Wondering if / when we will again have a midfield from the same Super team. Combos, bro.
