Rugby: The middle man

Sonny Bill Williams. Photo / Getty Images

He's lost ground, maybe even conceded his All Black No 12 jersey to Sonny Bill Williams at least for the opening tests, but Ma'a Nonu, despite rash claims to the contrary, is unlikely to run off to France after the World Cup.

Even if Williams stays in New Zealand next year, as seems increasingly likely, Nonu isn't going to shirk the battle.

He's grown rather fond of his All Black No 12 shirt these past few years. A classic rivalry isn't going to spook him and the claim by Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal last weekend that Montpellier had already signed Nonu is wrong.

Montpellier are on the hunt for a world class midfielder and, having just made the French playoffs which will also secure them a Heineken Cu spot next season, they have shown no lack of ambition in their hunt.

Sadly for them, their budget hasn't matched their ambition and, while they would love to sign Nonu, they simply don't have the financial power. Benson Stanley was close to signing a few weeks ago before he opted to stay here for one more year. Nonu came with bigger demands.

A spectacular offer from some foreign predator could maybe change Nonu's thinking but there is every reason to believe he will sign the two-year contract extension the New Zealand Rugby Union have put in front of him.

That he is likely to stay here to duke it out with Williams shouldn't really come as any surprise. Nonu's entire career has been an uphill struggle. His ego has been hacked at over the years but, like the best vines, has somehow grown stronger from each pruning.

Few modern players would have survived the same treatment Nonu has endured. With his eye shadow and occasional hair bands, he looks to be a product of Generation Y, but in attitude and application he's definitely Generation X; old school in the way he fights for what he wants.

In 2003, he was dropped from a great height before the World Cup. The pain the nation felt at seeing Leon MacDonald at centre was nothing in comparison with Nonu's agony. He was the only fit specialist in the squad and he was passed over for a fullback. The lack of faith shown by John Mitchell had the potential to psychologically damage Nonu for life.

Yet he clawed his way back into contention, finally securing the starting spot he coveted on the 2006 end of year tour. All that hard work was ruined when Nonu imploded during the 2007 Super 14 and played his way out of the squad. To many minds, that was it - the promise would go unfulfilled, he'd take himself offshore in search of riches and a more appreciative market.

He's still here, his 56 test caps testament to his courage, dedication and maturity. This new fight he faces to win selection ahead of Williams will test the depth of Nonu's character. He's more experienced and has a long-term partnership cemented with Conrad Smith - yet he's now the underdog.

Williams faced the biggest test of his fledgling rugby career in Cape Town. It's one thing to look a million dollars against Scotland, another to produce a blinder against the likely Bok midfield pairing of Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie.

Supposedly, reckoned Springbok coach Peter de Villiers, Williams would bomb against the defensively miserly Stormers. He didn't. That giant arm of his kept emerging out the back of tackles to offload; even going high and low, the Stormers didn't have much joy in curtailing the brilliance of Williams.

That de Villiers would later bizarrely claim Williams is a bad example to younger players is concrete proof he's terrified of the big man's ability.

"He is doing everything wrong what rugby principles [requires] of you in the game," said deVilliers.

"I mean, back-hand passes shouldn't be the norm. Last week, he made four mistakes with those kind of non-rugby stuff that he is doing. Well, if it comes off, it is brilliant, but do you have control over those kinds

of things?

"If you get into international level where people work you out so easy, then you have to be in control of what you are doing."

That performance in Cape Town will have given the All Black coaches the peace of mind they were after.

They knew Williams was incredible, capable of influencing most tests, but the Boks are always a different proposition.

They build their game on their defence and shut down space better than any other team in world rugby. If there was any doubt about the All Black pecking order at second five, it will now be clear that Williams is the go. His form is compelling. So far Nonu's hasn't been. Williams has also never convinced as a bench option.

His best rugby is played when he starts - without such a long rugby pedigree, he needs to fell the rhythm of the game, play his way in. Nonu, on the other hand, has that ability to make his presence felt off the bench. He was injected into the final test of last year with half an hour remaining and changed the pace.

Line-breaking is an art that can be lethal against a tiring defence. Nonu's established combination with Smith is certainly a valued asset but, with five tests before the World Cup, there's time for Williams to hone an understanding with the incumbent centre. That's the magic of Williams - he seems to be able to do anything.

But Nonu has an unbreakable faith in his ability to overcome adversity and prove himself. He's hauled himself out of dark places before and delivered for his country. He's got some ground to make up; he has a real fight to secure his jersey.

All he'll say about his future is this: "I've played here for a long time, so the next couple of months will be just thinking about what I want to do."

He already knows - he wants that fight and that black jersey this year and most probably beyond.