Nonu and Kirwan kiss and make up
All Black Ma'a Nonu appeared to be on his way back to Blues following a year-long stand-off with the franchise after the Chiefs shut the door on the veteran centre.
The reigning champion Chiefs said they had filled their roster for the 2014 Super Rugby season by signing All Black fullback Mils Muliaina and Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean.
Blues coach John Kirwan had previously shown no interest in Nonu after saying he was disappointed at the way he reneged on a handshake agreement and moved to the Highlanders this year.
But with the New Zealand Rugby Union keen to avoid his moving to France, where he is wanted by Clermont, Kirwan said on Friday he and Nonu had buried the hatchet.
The Blues have one spot to fill in their squad, and after saying a year ago he "felt let down" by the way Nonu walked out on the team, Kirwan told Radio Sport he now wanted him back.
"We go way back," Kirwan said, adding: "I like the man.
"I think that, as you can see by his form in the All Blacks, I think that to have him in the side would be a real asset."
Although the blockbusting centre regularly performs at his peak for the All Blacks, he has failed to shine at the Super Rugby level.
He left the Hurricanes at the end of 2011 when told he did not fit their plans, walked out on the Blues last year and refused a contract extension with the Highlanders this season.
Neither Nonu nor the NZRU have commented on the Blues overture, but if he moved to France it would create selection issues because of a policy limiting All Blacks selection to New Zealand-based players.
AFP
