Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Getty Images
Someone or somebody has to be accountable for the Ma'a Nonu saga.
No one has won, no one involved has come out with any credit and the chances are high a critical test player could end up in France next year as European headhunters go looking for All Black bounty.
Best place to start in this quest to apportion blame is the man himself. He's complex and challenging - certainly not someone who fits neatly within the parameters modern coaches like.
In plainer English, deservedly or not, he's gained a reputation for being a bit of a dick. Gain a reputation like that and it is almost impossible to lose but, frankly, it only became relevant because he didn't play well for either the Blues or Highlanders.
If he had delivered on the field the way he does for the All Blacks, he'd not be without a contract. He made it too easy for all five franchises to reject him as he gave the overwhelming impression he's a player who only performs when he feels like it and most likely he won't feel like it between February and May. But the various Super rugby coaches, too, have to ask whether they focused too much on Nonu's alleged ability to be a problem instead of his proven ability to be a world-class player.
