In 2015, when New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu raised the Rugby World Cup for the second time with his country, the Wellington-born back could never have imagined he would be returning the haka to his beloved national team 11 years later at the age of 44.
With an unmatched career that undoubtedly speaks for itself, Nonu currently holds the record as the oldest appearance maker and try scorer in the Top 14.
And once again he was prepared to push the boundaries further as his current team, the Sharks, faced his former national side on Tuesday during the second fixture of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry tour.
In a rain-soaked Durban, the All Blacks, lead for the first time by Ruben Love, threw down the gauntlet in typical dramatic fashion by unleashing a echoing Ka Mate haka across the Hollywood Kings Park Stadium.
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Nonu answers the call
After the cheers had subsided, the Sharks remained motionless and, to the surprise of many, including the commentators, Nonu stepped forward.
The All Blacks returned to their line to give Nonu the respect he deserved for performing his own Kapa o Pango haka in response to the All Blacks challenge.
In the silence that followed, everyone watched in amazement as Nonu roared, stamped and unleashed his own challenge to his countrymen, which was respectfully received by the All Blacks and thrilled the 46,000-capacity stadium.
Despite the heavy loss the Sharks then endured, failing to land a single point as the All Blacks scored 54 unanswered points, the game won’t be remembered for the result but rather for the remarkable performance of Nonu, who made 103 appearances for New Zealand and had the chance to show his respect to his national side in the most appropriate way possible.
A moment of mutual respect
“On behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks,” he said.
“It was such a privilege and an honour, and to do the haka, showing my respect on behalf of my family to the team I love.
“I got nearly 20 minutes off the bench. I tried my best. It was great to see the New Zealand boys.”
The performance was not entirely unexpected as according to head coach Dave Rennie, Nonu had sought out his former team to make sure what he was about to do would be well received.
“We knew the Ma’a haka was coming,” Rennie said. “Ma’a came and saw our defence coach Tana Umaga last night and said he wanted to be respectful and queried about the right way to respond to the haka.”
For me, it’s another great moment for the sport that defines what rugby is really all about.
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