He could truly do it all, distribute, carry hard, side step tackle and he was even decent with his boot. Himself and Conrad Smith hands down the greatest centre partnership of all time.
To have that much pace and still be able to deliver such an explosive step whilst at full tilt is insane. The greatest ever. A player I could watch for hours
Was privileged to see his whole international career between 03-15. He started with his natural power and pace and assumed he'd just be a simple crash ball player. When he refined his passing and kicking game it showed he had a fantastic ethic to work in his game and he is one of the best 12s to play the game ever now. Every international team that performs well essentially has a big unit at 12. Nonu was class at that but also rapid, great pass, and great kicking game. The complete centre.
Nonu was phenomenal. He just kept improving his game throughout his career and culminated in 2015 - when he was just....complete. He could crash ball, he could carry, he could distribute, and he could finish. That was when he was 32, yet he was running with the speed of a 22 year old man. Looking back, it was hard to believe that for a brief 2 years, he was unwanted by the Hurricanes.
@@pokinacha you are comparing a blindside with an openside for starters. But you would be hard pressed to find a more influential player on the park than McCaw. Collins isn’t even our best 6, that’s Kaino.
Springbok supporter here. I have respect for Maa. His physicality, ball handling and pace were phenomenal.Excellent in defense and devastating in attack. That center pairing, as most have said here, was the greatest.Respect
this guy was an absolute machine. used to watch this guy with my old man and we were always in awe of how much of a beast that man was. a true athlete and my favourite player oat
It’s hard to think of a more perfect centre. He had the pace, step and vision of O’Driscoll with the raw power and line breaking ability of prime Tuilagi. Just a joy to watch. Top 5 all time player for me, no question.
I distinctly remember the game when Carter came off after the Bismark red card tackle, he essentially took over the 10 role and his kicks were of such finesse... His kicks were constantly hitting 50:22s and would put many 10s to shame
As someone who almost literally doesn't watch/know anything about the sport of rugby... When a player (whether it was Nonu, or the inverse) passed the ball to another teammate who was at (or near) full sprint was incredibly satisfying (especially, if they later passed to a different [or the same] teammate who was then at their full sprint).... I have very limited exposure to the sport, but in NFL terms, he kind of reminds me of Marshawn Lynch.
Others have said it but watching his mix of speed size and skill is sublime. He'd hit tacklers and either weave and spin through like Ben Smith or fend and blow over them like Lomu. The speed and step of the best wingers too.
All Black history is littered with guys that didn’t put their head down and complete their skill set *cough* akira ioane *cough*. But not Nonu, he’s a beast
He could truly do it all, distribute, carry hard, side step tackle and he was even decent with his boot. Himself and Conrad Smith hands down the greatest centre partnership of all time.
To have that much pace and still be able to deliver such an explosive step whilst at full tilt is insane. The greatest ever. A player I could watch for hours
Was privileged to see his whole international career between 03-15. He started with his natural power and pace and assumed he'd just be a simple crash ball player. When he refined his passing and kicking game it showed he had a fantastic ethic to work in his game and he is one of the best 12s to play the game ever now.
Every international team that performs well essentially has a big unit at 12. Nonu was class at that but also rapid, great pass, and great kicking game. The complete centre.
Hands down the greatest 12 in the professional era. Himself and Conrad Smith best centre partnership I've ever seen.
Nonu was phenomenal. He just kept improving his game throughout his career and culminated in 2015 - when he was just....complete. He could crash ball, he could carry, he could distribute, and he could finish. That was when he was 32, yet he was running with the speed of a 22 year old man. Looking back, it was hard to believe that for a brief 2 years, he was unwanted by the Hurricanes.
My favourite player. True grit and power 💪🏼
If you’re first choice in the 2015 all blacks side, you’re probably the best in your position of all time
kinda easy to see why the all blacks in the early 2000s 2010s were just unstoppable
Absolutely. Carter, Nonu, Conrad Smith, Ben Smith, Dagg and any other winger like Ranger or Savea. No wonder my Wallabies couldn’t win a Bledisloe
And you haven’t even mentioned the absolute GOAT player, McCaw.
@@frankbunce eh, he was a piggy not a fairy. Personally I thought Jerry Collins was a better player than McCaw
@@pokinacha you’re missing the likes of McCaw and Kaino who were crucial to the All Black’s success. Monstruous players from number 1 to number 23
@@pokinacha you are comparing a blindside with an openside for starters. But you would be hard pressed to find a more influential player on the park than McCaw. Collins isn’t even our best 6, that’s Kaino.
Springbok supporter here. I have respect for Maa. His physicality, ball handling and pace were phenomenal.Excellent in defense and devastating in attack. That center pairing, as most have said here, was the greatest.Respect
My favourite all time All Blacks and rugby player! 🥇
this guy was an absolute machine. used to watch this guy with my old man and we were always in awe of how much of a beast that man was. a true athlete and my favourite player oat
It’s hard to think of a more perfect centre. He had the pace, step and vision of O’Driscoll with the raw power and line breaking ability of prime Tuilagi. Just a joy to watch. Top 5 all time player for me, no question.
Well he is called the greatest centre of all time. Also, you are talking about Henry when you say Prime Tuilagi right because I agree with you.
Man like Ma'a! Absolute Legend #goat12🏉🏆
What I loved was AlWAYS side before SELF top bloke! Nice one Mr Forde, Qualitay!
insane power and a great bloke
This dude designed the laws of the inside center position
I distinctly remember the game when Carter came off after the Bismark red card tackle, he essentially took over the 10 role and his kicks were of such finesse... His kicks were constantly hitting 50:22s and would put many 10s to shame
Another gem from Mr. Forde's immeasurable hard-drive. 🙂🙃🙂🙃
For people that didn't experience the era when Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith were the best center pairing in the world, it was truly magical.
Few discussions about him early in his career, stepped up to became a Legend similar to Jerome Kaino also a legend, privileged to watch their careers.
Nonu steps so hard he almost steps himself
As someone who almost literally doesn't watch/know anything about the sport of rugby... When a player (whether it was Nonu, or the inverse) passed the ball to another teammate who was at (or near) full sprint was incredibly satisfying (especially, if they later passed to a different [or the same] teammate who was then at their full sprint).... I have very limited exposure to the sport, but in NFL terms, he kind of reminds me of Marshawn Lynch.
Best center of all time (BOD is great but not on the same level and complete) him and Conrad best center partnership of all time.
Both of my knees blew out just watching this
Others have said it but watching his mix of speed size and skill is sublime. He'd hit tacklers and either weave and spin through like Ben Smith or fend and blow over them like Lomu. The speed and step of the best wingers too.
Ma'a nonu will always be a household name to allblacks rugby 🔥
Best center of all Time with Sella
What a player! Nice
Video!
GOAT at 12
Best 12 of all time
Had it all; power, speed, step, vision, defence, strength. Where are the other 28 hours of his highlights?
from a guy who was regarded as Umaga"s Shadow to a guy who made his own legacy
Man I adore him
Awesome.
Wednesday mrn - February 15, 2023.
what a legendary 12.
Miles clear of BOD. As a bok fan, we always feared Ma'a more than BOD. Nonu was simply more potent.
Nonu is more complete than BOD, you don’t know if he’s going to pass, bash through you, step you, pop an offload or even kick behind you.
There's only a certain breed of Irishman that would argue different, and they've never been worth listening to 👍
He was a flanker with the speed of a full back
Everyone always goes crazy about *that* Beauden Barrett pickup, but that pickup by Nonu at 4:40 was 10x harder and more impressive
I assume the video is just 8 minutes because of rights reserved.
Fitting ending with Conrad Smith in the frame.
💯👌
Name a better inside centre
Maybe Inga the winga could’ve rivaled him at insided center, but after his return from league, they put him at outside center.
There aren't any. One of the greatest players of all time.
Gibson and Horan are in the conversation. Hell, I was pretty handy in my day too 😂 But I think by retirement Nonu had eclipsed them all.
Bunce, Walter Little, Joe Stanley... There were a few back in the day but Nonu just kept getting better!
When fit Manu Tuilagi. Bigger, stronger faster
GO THE HURRICANES!!
2024 WE CLEANING UP!
😊😊😊😊😊😊
He shouldnt have given up the all blacks in 2015
All Black history is littered with guys that didn’t put their head down and complete their skill set *cough* akira ioane *cough*. But not Nonu, he’s a beast
bloody good account this cheers @andrew forde