Nonu (26) has had a bumpy ride in establishing himself in the squad since making his All Blacks debut against England at Wellington in 2003.
He had failed to make the "A" squad and missed last year's World Cup in France.
But a series of dynamic games for the Hurricanes in the midfield during Super 14 forced the selectors' hands and he has been given his chance.
He has become the powerhouse of the All Black backline and showed his hand in his first Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Wellington last Saturday.
His efforts pleased the All Blacks assistant coach, Wayne Smith.
"When there is an opportunity for a break he makes it," Smith said.
"Ma'a is not losing the ball like he used to.
His skill levels are high and he has been an absolute plus for us."
Nonu's telling break up the centre after 12min in the second spell should have led to a try and sealed the match for the All Blacks at Wellington.
But the referee ruled No 8 Jerome Kaino offside when he touched down over the line when following up a Daniel Carter kick.
"I thought we were robbed after that," Nonu said.
"It was a harsh call."
Before this season, Nonu had the reputation of dying with the ball instead of linking with his backline.
"I've always known how to pass but it didn't really come out because I was playing on the wing where I didn't really need to pass.
"I've been working with my support players and anyone else who is backing up, and keeping the ball alive."
Nonu is instilling terror into opposition defences, which is giving the other backs more space.
But he is using common sense and is not just barging his way through as he did in the past.
He knows it would be silly to attempt to run through Springbok flankers Juan Smith and Schalk Burger, and second five-eighth Jean de Villiers.
"These guys are among the best defenders in the world," Nonu said.
"Going at them is like running into a brick wall. It doesn't work.
"We just try to stretch them and use the speed we have out wide."
It meant a lot to Nonu to play in his first Tri-Nations test because he had waited five years for the chance.
"When I was put back to club rugby last year I told myself I didn't want to do it again.
"It was special to play against South Africa, especially in my home town of Wellington."
Nonu has always admired the Springboks.
"When I was growing up I remember watching the tense World Cup final on television from South Africa in 1995 ," he said.
It will be Nonu's second test against the Springboks and his first test at Carisbrook on Saturday.
