All Blacks: Nonu keen to prove he's no one-trick pony

All Black second-five Ma'a Nonu wants to improve his kicking game. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Ma'a Nonu has been granted just one provincial game, but vows he'll make the most of his All Blacks rugby reprieve and improve his kicking game after a telling cameo against the Wallabies.

A fractured cheekbone to second five-eighth Luke McAlister means Nonu will likely regain his starting place alongside Daniel Carter for the All Blacks' next Tri-Nations test against South Africa in Hamilton on September 12.

He scored the only try, coming off the bench in his 22nd consecutive test appearance, as the All Blacks pipped the Wallabies 19-18 in Sydney to retain the Bledisloe Cup and keep their slim Tri-Nations hopes alive.

Nonu was looking forward to playing for Wellington - albeit for just one match in the next fortnight at the behest of All Blacks staff - and improving his all-round game after he was benched for McAlister at ANZ Stadium.

"It was pretty tough but that's rugby, whatever's best for the team and I'm all for it," Nonu said.

"Lukey's a world class player, with his kicking game he adds another dimension to the backline. It's all the best for the team. Luckily I got on.

"Hopefully I can try and work on my kicking. I've said it before, I can't kick for s..t, but hopefully in the next two weeks I can try and work on it."

Nonu's 22 consecutive tests is a record in coach Graham Henry's reign, beating the 21 by hooker Keven Mealamu before his season-ending chest injury.

Just two of them, Saturday's and the Hong Kong victory over the Wallabies last year, have been off the bench.

Nonu relished his 50th minute arrival after McAlister's second head clash of the night.

At that stage they were 6-15 down but the All Blacks found some continuity and stormed home in the final quarter.

Nonu handled twice in his 64th minute try which was set up by a brilliant no-look pass by in-form winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.

"Siti's a world class player, you see when he plays for the Chiefs he's unstoppable really.

"I was hoping he was going to read me on the outside and he did. He told me after he knew I was coming around. I was just thinking `don't drop it, eh'."

Nonu said despite the victory, the All Blacks still had plenty to work on. He enjoyed their willingness to spread the ball wide and hoped they could continue to entertain against the kick-focused Springboks in Hamilton.

"We pride ourselves in playing the best rugby we can. We were guilty of not producing the best rugby, especially this year.

"There's room for improvement and hopefully we can move up a gear in the next two tests.

"We just had to play some rugby and we got that try in the end. If we use the ball more, running-wise, we can score a lot more tries."

Nonu will likely play for Wellington in Saturday's much-awaited Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury, as All Blacks were released for varying periods yesterday.

Wellington teammates Tamati Ellison, Hosea Gear, Cory Jane, Rodney So'oialo, Neemia Tialata and Piri Weepu were all among the group cleared for two weekends.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney wasn't so fortunate, with just Wyatt Crockett among the players available for two games.

Richie McCaw and Brad Thorn are free for one game - surely the Shield challenge if Penney gets his way - while Carter and No 8 Kieran Read were deemed to be "sore" by All Blacks medical staff and await a decision on their fitness.

- NZPA