Nonu has been one of the most frustrating players in Super Rugby no matter for which franchise he was featuring. Seemingly unwanted by New Zealand clubs for much of the offseason, the second five-eighth has consistently failed to replicate his All Blacks efforts at Super level.
Perhaps that can change this season. It was only one game but Nonu linked well with Simon Hickey on his inside and repeatedly drew the attention of multiple defenders, creating space for the Blues to exploit elsewhere.
He owed his try almost exclusively to the work of Bryn Hall - who thrived in the No 9 jersey while Piri Weepu watched on from a corporate box - but Nonu's mere presence gives the opposition much to think about.
Kaino will also occupy the minds of other teams after tonight's efforts, a partial answer to the question of whether he can regain his form of old after two years in Japan.
It can't be a coincidence the Blues were much improved at the breakdown and in the scrum, losing none at the set piece after coming into the contest with a mere 67 per cent success rate.
The blindside flanker led his side with eight tackles and, together with Nonu, gave the Blues a completely different complexion. Who'd have thunk it?
