Ma’a Nonu says he was initially reluctant to do the haka in response to the All Blacks’ challenge in Durban this morning but was encouraged by former teammates Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison after asking permission the night before.
In an interview with Sky commentator Justin Marshall after the All Blacks’ 52-0 victory over the Sharks at a waterlogged Kings Park, former All Black Nonu, named on the bench for the home side, gave his rationale for performing an emotional rendition of Kapo o Pango.
“It was a spur of the moment thing,” Nonu said. “They [Sharks players] asked me - I was questioned about it the night before. [But] I… didn’t want it to be about myself and my history with the team. I wanted it to be about the All Blacks and the Sharks and the great rivalry.”
All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu, playing for the Sharks, accepted the All Blacks' challenge with a haka of his own. (Source: SKY)
That led to Nonu contacting the All Blacks' assistant coaches – perhaps most notably Ellison, the current New Zealand Māori head coach.
“I spoke to Tana and Tamati as well,” he said. “I asked Tamati for permission out of courtesy and respect on behalf of our team and my family and myself, and I thought it was the right thing to do to answer the boys and the All Blacks.”
Head coach Dave Rennie confirmed the sequence of events and said he thought Nonu’s response to the All Blacks’ Ka Mate haka led for the first time by Ruben Love was “excellent”.
“They had a conversation around it because he wanted to be respectful," Rennie said. "He was querying what the best way was to respond to that. They encouraged him if he felt it was right to do the haka.”
Nonu’s solo performance, cheered by the supporters in the sparsely populated stands, was shown respect by the All Blacks and the 44-year-old appeared to wipe a tear from his eye as he made his way to the sideline for a place on the reserves bench.
There was some feeling in his first impact on the game after 62 minutes, too – a carry straight at first-five Love, who did well to bring him down.
“I tried my best,” Nonu said. “It was great to see the boys – to play against them was such a privilege and an honour.”
Asked by Marshall how his body felt, Nonu said: “I sat down too long. I should have warmed up a bit more. I mean, the All Blacks opened up in the last 30 minutes, so I was chasing my tail but fair credit to them, they’re improving as well. All the best to the brothers for the next game and I can’t wait to see them play.”
The All Blacks scored eight tries, seven of them converted by Love, in an improved performance after learning some harsh lessons in their opening game of the tour.
The All Blacks’ next match is against the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday morning. The first Test against the Boks is in Johannesburg seven days later.
SHARE ME