The transformation of Ma'a Nonu from unfit bruiser to world-class midfield back is being lauded as he prepares to become the sixth All Blacks player to win 100 caps centurion after earning a recall to face Tonga at Newcastle on Friday. Nonu, 33, replaces Sonny Bill Williams having missed the chance to bring up a century of caps against Georgia last week because of a shoulder injury.
Steve Hansen said Nonu had matured into a complete second five-eighth but it wasn't always the case. When Hansen became All Blacks assistant coach in 2004, he delivered some home truths to a player who had burst onto the first class scene in spectacular style.
"The first conversation I ever had with him was 'we don't think you're fit enough and we want you to go to Sevens'," Hansen said. "He went there and he changed himself. He went from being a blockbusting, hard-running, centre to being a really fit centre who could then play for long periods into the game.
"He's developed the skills over the period and is a beautiful passing centre as well as a blockbusting runner.
"He has grown into a leader within the group. He doesn't say a lot, but when he does speak it's right on the money. He asks a lot of himself and cares a lot about the team - and we care a lot about him.
"It's a fantastic achievement to play one Test for the All Blacks let alone 100, and he should be very proud of himself."
Nonu, who earned his first cap a year earlier, has played 73 Tests at second five-eighth, 10 at centre and 16 off the reserves bench. More than half have been alongside long-time provincial and Super Rugby partner Conrad Smith, who will also start against Tonga and earn his 90th cap. Both players are leaving for French club rugby after the World Cup.
Dan Carter, who is also heading to French rugby after the Rugby World Cup, said that Nonu had become a second set of eyes in helping to control a game.
"The thing that makes it easiest about my job playing alongside Ma'a is that he has actually grown as an extremely vocal player in the team," Carter said. "He gives me a lot of direction. He's my eyes and ears playing outside me, telling me what he's seeing and helping me with my option-taking."