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Nonu comes good at last

Monday 01st December 2008

Arrived: Nonu is finally performing consistently on the big stage

New Zealand's Grand Slam tour has thrown up many positives, but perhaps the biggest was the coming of age of Ma'a Nonu.

Nonu has promised to become a world-class player for some time now, and his comments on Wales' reply to the haka aside, he has scarcely put a foot wrong on tour.

But for the All Blacks' game against Australia in Hong Kong Nonu has started every game of their tour at inside centre, and he has looked more than comfortable filling the gap left by Luke McAllister's departure.

The Hurricanes back notched his eighth try of 2008 as New Zealand accounted for England 32-6 at Twickenham on Saturday, and backs coach Wayne Smith finally feels he is delivering the goods.

"He's stepped up better than anyone could have imagined this year. Not many people have had better year's than Ma'a's had," Smith told NZPA.

"He's learned a lot about the game and he's learned that you can contribute if you're not a ball runner.

"He's got good eyes, he picks things up well. It's just been a matter of getting him to communicate those things and help Daniel (Carter) with running the game."

Smith said finessing Nonu's attacking mind set was a priority once he was anointed at the man in the middle of Carter and Conrad Smith.

"With Ma'a it's been about keeping him available as an attacker. It's no good if he's on the fringe of a ruck.

"He's worked hard at getting back out in the backs as a defender and an attacker - getting two touches in attack.

"If he touches the ball twice in a movement, you're in trouble as a defensive team.

"He's designed the drills that have added to his game, he's worked hard at those things. He's been really self-directed this year and he's reaping the rewards."

Whilst Nonu's attacking ability has never been in doubt there have, for some time now, been question marks over his defensive ability as well as his discipline. But Smith believes he has worked hard on eradicate those deficiencies.

"He's got rid of the tendency the throw the ball away, the tendency to tackle high - the stupid things in his game," Smith added.

Nonu was pinged for a high shot in the opening minutes of 29-9 defeat of Wales in Cardiff - though the indiscretion was almost an aberration.

"In the last 12 months, I have got rid of the bad stuff out of my game. Before that, I would do stupid things on the field: late tackles, giving away silly penalties - disciplinary things," Nonu said.

"About five years back, I would try to rough people up, they would rough you up back and you would get into trouble when you retaliated.

"I got to the stage where I felt I didn't need that sort of thing any more.

"I was being targeted too much by referees and I was also to blame at times. I couldn't go forward if I didn't change.

"I think I've done that and I hope I am a better player now than I was four years ago."