Mauger knows Nonu's strength

Aaron Mauger (left) and Ma'a Nonu.

DUBLIN - For once, Aaron Mauger doesn't have to worry about the man he labels the toughest to tackle in the world charging at him.

The player in question, Ma'a Nonu, will start a test alongside Mauger for the first time against Ireland at Lansdowne Rd on Sunday.

Mauger, senior statesman of Sunday's inside back division with 30 tests, offered a wry smile at the thought of teaming up with the Hurricanes destroyer.

"I'd probably name him the hardest guy to tackle in world rugby. I've been on the receiving end of a couple of those fends and he's not an easy man to bring down," Mauger said. "He's pretty dangerous and hopefully if we can give him some space he'll cause trouble."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has previously expressed his dislike of playing Nonu and Tana Umaga alongside each other because of their similarities.

With Umaga rested and the captaincy handed to Richie McCaw, Mauger gets the opportunity with Nonu to oppose likely Ireland midfield duo Gordon D'Arcy and Shane Horgan - both Lions tourists to New Zealand.

"They're [Umaga and Nonu] pretty similar players. Tana's a lot more experienced and a bit more of a decision-maker, whereas Ma'a gets himself out of trouble because he's so strong."

Five of Nonu's eight tests have been off the bench with his only starts against England on debut in Wellington in 2003, then Italy and Canada at the World Cup later that year.

Mauger was a favourite subject for Irish reporters after training at a rainswept Westmanstown Sports Centre outside Dublin yesterday.

He played age-grade rugby for Dublin club Suttonians fresh out of Christchurch Boys' High then made his test debut at Lansdowne Rd in 2001, the last All Blacks visit there in a game they won 40-29.

It was also McCaw's debut, and the All Blacks had to recover from a 23-7 deficit before a Mauger try helped them finish strongly.

"It was pretty emotional for me, playing my first test with my brother in the stands and all my mates from Dublin there as well," he said. "The try all happened pretty fast, I got a wide ball from Andrew Mehrtens, chopped inside and just fell over the line. I remember getting picked up by Tana and Anton [Oliver] - a pretty awesome feeling."

- NZPA