South African rugby teams love facing the haka.
None have ever replied to New Zealand’s traditional pre-match challenge with another haka. Until Wednesday (AEST).
Ma’a Nonu performs the haka in Durban. Stan
Ma’a Nonu stepped in front of his new Sharks teammates and performed a solo haka in what will probably be the lasting memory of a tour match the All Blacks won 54-0 at soggy Kings Park.
Nonu played 104 Tests for New Zealand from 2003-15 and has continued playing around the world at age 44.
The Sharks signed him a week ago to help develop their young players.
Then as their injury list lengthened they drafted him onto the bench to face the All Blacks.
He was reluctant at first. He didn’t want to detract from the Sharks’ first match against the All Blacks in 30 years. He relented to help make up the numbers.
“I thought it would be rude to say no,” Nonu said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“I thought I would put the boots on and try to help the team really.”
For his first time facing the All Blacks, he talked to New Zealand assistant coaches Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison about replying to the All Blacks’ haka.
“Out of respect for our team and on behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks,” Nonu said.
So after lining up for the anthems, then watching the haka, he stood alone with the Sharks arrayed behind him, and the All Blacks lined up on the other side of halfway.
He performed the All Blacks’ own haka, Kapa o Pango, to initial silence from the crowd and growing cheers.
Afterward, he nodded to the All Blacks, many of whom nodded back. Only Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett still play for New Zealand from Nonu’s last squad.
“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,” Nonu said.
He got into the game with a quarter to go. His first touch was to clatter into flyhalf Ruben Love, who was two when Nonu debuted for New Zealand.
“I got 20 minutes. I tried my best. It was great to see the boys,” he said.
“The All Blacks opened up in the last 30 minutes, and I was chasing my tail. Credit to them, they’re improving, and all the best to the brothers for the next game.”
Test fullback Damian McKenzie limped off after scoring a 28th-minute try.
His exit was precautionary 11 days before the ‘Greatest Rivalry’ Test series against the Springboks. He twisted his left ankle early while landing to take a mark.
Ma’a Nonu reacts after Timoci Tavatavanawai scored a try. AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
“It’s not too bad, but we just felt he was hobbling around less than 100 per cent. He will be fine,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said.
The All Blacks started half of their Test XV against the weakest of the four provincial sides they face, and were too slick for the heavily depleted Sharks on a pitch soaked by heavy rain right until kickoff.
They fixed the issues that were shown up while beating the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town last week.
The maul defence stopped two early lineout drives by the Sharks from 5m out, the scrum was solid, and discipline much improved.
No yellow cards were conceded, and the penalty count was half of the 16 conceded to the Stormers.
They scored eight tries, seven converted by standout Love – four from the sideline and one in off the post.
The Sharks were 42-0 down when Nonu came off the bench with a quarter to go.
Fehi Fineanganofo leaps over Damian McKenzie while scoring a try. Getty Images
After containing a rousing start by the Sharks, the All Blacks got their first try in the 19th minute from winger Fehi Fineanganofo after a Jordie Barrett bomb.
McKenzie slid over the tryline moments later, but the try was ruled out by a knock on. Five minutes later, McKenzie was over again in another splash beside the right corner flag after a Barrett kick pass to Fineanganofo. Then the fullback limped off.
New Zealand turned around 14-0 ahead and gradually washed away the Sharks like an incoming tide.
The other winger, Caleb Clarke, scored from a huge miss-out pass by No.8 Wallace Sititi, then Clarke gave the final offload for Fineanganofo’s second try.
First-time captain Luke Jacobson put Barrett away for a score, and a Quinn Tupaea break was finished by scrumhalf Kyle Preston.
Closing tries by Timoci Tavatavanawai and Sam Darry brought up the All Blacks’ half-century.
They now face the Bulls in Pretoria on Sunday (AEST).
Jordie Barrett of New Zealand All Blacks scores a try. Getty Images
Yet to appear on tour because of “niggles” are hooker Codie Taylor, winger Will Jordan, prop Tyrel Lomax and scrumhalf Cam Roigard, who was a late withdrawal from the Sharks game because of a tight calf.
Captain Ardie Savea is being rested until the first Test.
The All Blacks still haven’t named a replacement for centre Billy Proctor, who broke a shoulder blade against the Stormers.
There’s heavy speculation about the return of flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who last played for New Zealand at the 2023 World Cup.
“We are going to make a decision (on a replacement) around what we need as a whole (in) the next couple of days,” Rennie said.