All Black veteran Ma’a Nonu returns to Toulon – at 42

Former New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu has signed as medical cover until the end of the season for Toulon, where he has already played twice, the French Top 14 side announced on Tuesday.

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A two-time world champion in 2011 and 2015, Nonu will be filling in for Setariki Tuicuvu, Gabin Villiere and Antoine Frisch, all of whom were injured and absent from Saturday’s 24-6 win over Stade Francais.

‘Medical joker’

“Because a season is played out to the end and to compensate for certain long-term absences, Toulon will be able to count on an experienced reinforcement to accompany the squad over the coming weeks,” said the club in a social media post accompanied by a video showing team manager Mathieu Bastareaud handing Nonu a No 12 jersey.

Nonu, now 42, played 103 times for the All Blacks before joining Toulon between 2015-2018, during which time he started alongside Bastareaud in the Top 14 final defeat to Clermont in 2017.

After leaving for New Zealand and the United States in 2018, he returned to Toulon for the 2020-2021 season, before playing for San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.

Toulon are currently second in the Top 14 with Nonu, now the oldest person in the league, in line to make his third debut for the club at Lyon on Saturday.

How highly did you rate Ma’a Nonu – when in his prime?

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By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse