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Nonu improves out of sight when he pulls on the All Blacks jersey. Source:AAP
HE is the superstar All Blacks centre that no franchise wants, but New Zealand coaches warn that Ma'a Nonu is primed for a trademark Bledisloe Cup blockbuster after overcoming injury concerns.
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The out-of-favour Nonu could take out his frustrations on the Wallabies as his contractual saga drags on. Nonu, in a similar situation to Wallabies utility James O'Connor, remains without a Super Rugby franchise for next year after unpopular stints at the Highlanders, Blues and Hurricanes in the past three years.
None of those three teams have shown interest in having Nonu back in 2014, while the Chiefs and Crusaders are also uninterested, which has caused major concern for the ruling body, the NZRU.
Nonu, 31, is viewed as a troublesome identity in Super Rugby dressing rooms yet consistently produces stunning form on the international stage for the All Blacks — and has been a major thorn in the Wallabies' side for years.
The 79-Test veteran centre has not played a professional game since June 29, and has been struggling with an ankle injury sustained in a club match three weeks ago.
There was even talk in New Zealand of Dan Carter being shifted to inside centre to cover an absent Nonu, but after the giant midfielder trained well on Monday his coaches are extremely confident he'll take the field on Saturday for the first Rugby Championship match of 2013.
"The signs are that Ma'a's improving every day and it's looking good," All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said.
"I've been delighted with him. His ability to come in here with one focus is outstanding.
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"His major concern is getting over that little niggle and he's doing that very well."
Nonu's added motivation of finding a new club could result in a tough night for Australia's defence, who were woefully exposed by the British & Irish Lions in their previous outing.
Under new coach Ewen McKenzie, the Wallabies will be hoping to make instant improvement, and a major focus will be stopping the impact of Nonu in midfield.
It is typical of Nonu to follow unimpressive Super Rugby form with outstanding performances in the black jersey, and Australia will be weary of such a prospect at ANZ Stadium. In eight games for the Highlanders this year Nonu scored one try and made just two linebreaks.
In three Tests against France in June, he made four linebreaks and had one try assist.
In 18 Tests against the Wallabies, Nonu has scored eight tries and experienced defeat just three times.
Meanwhile, All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg expects a far more expansive attack from the Wallabies than what they showed under previous coach Robbie Deans. With McKenzie using a successful ball-in-hand approach to win the 2011 Super Rugby title with Queensland Reds, Dagg said the new coach would bring in a faster style.
"The Reds like to use the ball, spread it wide, with quality passes," Dagg said. "They like to run it from everywhere. It's going to be a pretty quick game."
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