Rugby: Nonu set to mark milestone

Ma'a Nonu. Photo / ODT.

Much has been made about the influence of Ma'a Nonu on a Super Rugby team.

Some say he doesn't put in enough effort as he coasts towards another campaign with the All Blacks but the reality is he is just misunderstood.

He has returned to the Hurricanes this season after three years of bouncing between the Blues and the Highlanders and he has helped spark his home team.

The Hurricanes have made a perfect 6-0 start to Super Rugby in 2015 and Nonu has been at the heart of the action; his best attacking form is yet to come but he has been formidable on defence.

Nonu's experience has been vital to the side -- on and off the field -- and before the season started he took all of the new players to Wellington out for a coffee to show them the local spots.

"I've got three kids but they still make me pay for the coffees and that," Nonu said with a laugh. "It's been good. I had a good pre-season and I'm just enjoying being back home, really."

Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd said Nonu's influence had been nothing but positive as he looks to mark his 150th Super Rugby appearance against the Stormers at Westpac Stadium in Wellington tomorrow night. (fri)

"He's got a real understanding of what you need to make a positive team," Boyd said. "His influence here has been positive all the way through."

Nonu, who will move to France after this year's World Cup, will be only the fourth player to collect 150 Super Rugby caps -- after Keven Mealamu, Corey Flynn and Nathan Sharpe -- and it's a journey that began in 2003.

"To be the first back to get 150 games is testament to what he's given New Zealand and the Hurricanes," Boyd said.

The Hurricanes have named a strong team to meet the Stormers with the return of All Blacks Beauden Barrett, Julian Savea and Ben Franks who all missed last Friday's win over the Melbourne Rebels.

Hooker Dane Coles will be out for at least a month with an elbow injury, which provides a further opportunity for the combative Motu Matu'u.

Fullback Nehe Milner-Skudder scored two tries off the bench in the win over the Rebels and has earned the opportunity to start this week.

In a backline full of All Blacks, the No 15 jersey is up for grabs each week in the Hurricanes with Jason Woodward and James Marshall also in the mix.

Milner-Skudder is an exciting player with his dazzling footwork but he has the tendency to get isolated on attack.

"He needs to be complete to operate at Super Rugby level over long periods of time," Boyd said.

The Stormers will welcome back No 8 Duane Vermeulen for tomorrow's game.

"They're a massive forward pack and the team they've picked is about as big as they could get," Boyd said.

After hosting the Stormers tomorrow, the Hurricanes have the bye next week.

Hurricanes: Nehe Milner-Skudder, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith (captain), Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Victor Vito, Callum Gibbins, Brad Shields, James Broadhurst, Jeremy Thrush, Ben Franks, Motu Matu'u, Reggie Goodes. Reserves: Brayden Mitchell, Ben May, Chris Eves, Mark Abbott, Adam Hill, Chris Smylie, Rey Lee-Lo, James Marshall

Stormers: Cheslin Kolbe, Kobus van Wyk, Juan de Jongh, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen (captain), Schalk Burger, Siya Kolisi, Manuel Carizza, Eben Etzebeth, Vincent Koch, Scarra Ntubeni, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Bongi Mbonambi, Oliver Kebble, Frans Malherbe, Ruan Botha, Michael Rhodes, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones.