Homeless Nonu worries Hansen
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has raised his concern that none of the New Zealand Super Rugby franchises have moved to sign Ma'a Nonu.
The All Black midfield star has battled to settle down at Super Rugby level, playing for three different teams in the last three years, and it is still not clear where he will play his rugby next year.
After indifferent spells with the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders Nonu is on the market once again, but it does not appear that many Super Rugby coaches are rushing to get his signature, which is something that clearly irks Hansen.
He told Fairfax NZ News: "It's disappointing that probably the best second five-eighth in world rugby at the moment can't get a home in a New Zealand franchise. I don't have much more to say than that really."
Although Nonu's Super Rugby form has been inconsistent as he has moved around New Zealand, he has delivered consistently for the All Blacks and on paper he should be a valuable acquisition.
However, it appears that his former team the Hurricanes are his only option with the Chiefs, Crusaders and Blues all ruling themselves out and the Highlanders resigned to his departure from Dunedin.
Hansen named Nonu in a 30-man training squad ahead of the Rugby Championship, and although the star centre suffered a minor ankle injury in a Wellington club game he is expected to be fit once the tournament starts next month.
"He's only had a minor tweak to the ankle. I'm sure he'll be fine by the time we get ready to rumble, but I'd say he'd probably not be playing [club rugby] this weekend," said Hansen.
