All Blacks centurion Ma’a Nonu breaks own record as oldest player to score try in French Top 14

All Blacks centurion Ma'a Nonu has etched his name in the French Top 14 history books, becoming the oldest player to score a try. Photo / Brett Phibbs

All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu has broken his own record as the oldest player to score a try in the French Top 14 competition.

Almost 10 years after his last game in the black jersey, the All Blacks centurion scored his first try of the season for Toulon during a 25-minute cameo off the bench.

Slotting into the midfield in the 56th minute, it took Nonu just a minute to involve himself – crashing on to a short ball 5m out from the tryline and diving over at the weekend. But the historic try wasn’t enough as Toulon slumped to a narrow 35-32 loss to Bayonne.

Ma’a Nonu 👑🇳🇿
Un peu plus dans l’histoire du rugby mondial en devenant le joueur le plus âgé à marquer un essai en #TOP14 👏 pic.twitter.com/XeE2GTsPJd

— TOP 14 Rugby (@top14rugby) September 29, 2025

“At 43 years and 131 days old, Ma’a Nonu has become the oldest player to ever score in the Top 14. Timeless,” a Top 14 post to social media read.

Nonu previously set the record for being the competition’s oldest try scorer when he crossed the line in Toulon’s quarter-final win over Castres in June.

The round four clash was his first appearance for the club this season after featuring in preseason fixtures.

In March, Nonu made history as the oldest player to take the field in a French Top 14 match at the age of 42.

He signed a one-year contract extension with Toulon in July, taking him through to 2026.

The two-time World Cup winner returned to Toulon this year after stints with the club between 2015-18 and 2020-21.

In a statement after his extension, the club said: “A legend of the club and international rugby, the All Black centre will continue his extraordinary career for another season in the colours of Toulon.

“A true source of inspiration for the rest of the Rouge & Noir squad, his return to the top level has been unanimously welcomed.”

Nonu made 103 test appearances for the All Blacks, the last of which came in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final triumph over Australia.

He had 174 Super Rugby caps with the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders and has also played for clubs in Japan and the United States.