Rugby: Leadership role key to rejuvenating Nonu?

Giving Ma'a Nonu leadership responsibilities could be the key to improving his performance at...
Giving Ma'a Nonu leadership responsibilities could be the key to improving his performance at franchise level, writes Paul McDonald.
It has been the hot topic in rugby circles around the country for months now, but we are no closer to discovering where Ma'a Nonu will play his rugby at franchise level next year.

Following yet another disappointing season in Super Rugby for Nonu - at the Highlanders, his third franchise in as many years - our five Super Rugby coaches are unwilling to accommodate the out-of-sorts 79-test veteran.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has voiced his frustration that no-one is prepared to make room for his star second five-eighth, whom he regards as an integral part of All Black efforts to retain the World Cup in 2015.

His class on the international stage can't be denied: when Nonu pulls a black jersey over those dreadlocks he transforms into a different man, a man we have not seen at franchise level since 2010.

A lot of bridges have been burnt due to his attitude off the field at Super Rugby level. Nonu did himself no favours with his well-publicised falling-out with Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett, and walking out of a handshake agreement with Sir John Kirwan did not help him either

While the obvious answer with any problem child is to send them off to boot camp, maybe advancing Nonu to corporal might put him back on the right tracks.

Nonu has been considered a leader before; he stepped up for the Wellington Lions in 2005 and wore the captain's armband when Tana Umaga was rested.

His performances in this role helped to cement his role in the All Blacks and he eventually developed to the point where was trusted by Sir Graham Henry as a member of the senior leadership group in 2011.

Giving experienced All Blacks leadership opportunities at franchise level is not a new idea, and history shows it can rejuvenate proven talent.

When Hosea Gear moved to the Highlanders in 2012, the excitement in the Deep South did not last long, as the nose for the try-line Gear showed for the Hurricanes was missing in Dunedin.

But in 2013, when coach Jamie Joseph handed Gear the vice-captaincy, his abilities shone once again and his performances were among the few highlights in an otherwise bleak season for the Highlanders.

Another example is Ali Williams, whose All Black stocks diminished with the emergence of Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano.

But after Keven Mealamu decided to take a sabbatical from the Blues at the start of 2013, the captaincy was handed to veteran lock Williams by new coach Sir John Kirwan.

The faith Kirwan showed by handing him the captain's armband proved to be the breath of life for Williams in his last season on New Zealand soil, and it certainly played a part in bringing a depleted Blues side back from the dead.

The idea of giving Nonu responsibilities may sound alarm bells for our Super Rugby coaches, and with good reason, as the chance to turn his form around is definitely one that should be taken with caution, but it is an opportunity that should not be missed.

- Paul McDonald

 

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