Nonu Rejects Tigers Offer

[Mixmasterreece]

http://www.stuff.co.nz/4239877a1823.html


Wests Tigers are ruing a late change of heart from Ma'a Nonu who rejected an offer to switch codes to re-sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).

The Sydney National Rugby League (NRL) club, home of Kiwis star Benji Marshall, were confident of securing the 18-test All Black's signature as recently as last Friday before he opted out.
"We thought we had him. We were close to having it done last week, then his manager (Warren Alcock) called on Friday to say he'd re-signed with the NZRU," Tigers recruitment manager Warren McDonnell said.
The Tigers pursued Nonu in recent weeks as they looked to sign a replacement centre for Kiwi Paul Whatuira who has joined English club Huddersfield.
McDonnell admitted the NRL salary cap restricted the size of their tabled offer, and Nonu probably would have had to take a small pay cut to switch codes.
"I think he would have been great in our game. We certainly identified him as someone we seriously wanted."
Instead Nonu, 25, will focus on this weekend's Air NZ Cup final for Wellington against Auckland, then next year's Super 14.
At 104kg and 1.82m, he was seen as an ideal candidate for league with his speed, devastating ball running and powerful fend.
Nonu, who was dropped by the All Blacks selectors for the Tri-Nations and World Cup, has regularly spoken of his desire to switch codes later in his career.
His cousin, Jack Afamasaga, plays for Manly in NRL and made his first grand final appearance in the loss to Melbourne last month.

 

[ozbash]

reecey, you're a welly boy. do you rate nonu ? do you reckon he'd go well at league ?

i think he is a show pony.

 

[super_coach]

Ronald and the team miss out on another one, why are we suprised. Attracting new players to the Sheens coached wests tigers is becomming a very hard task. Is it money or has the club got an image of a club going backwards

 

[Mixmasterreece]

reecey, you're a welly boy. do you rate nonu ? do you reckon he'd go well at league ?

i think he is a show pony.

He has a style suited to league.


He's big, He's fast, he's strong, he's got good footwork and he hits hard. Taylor made for playing Wing, Centre, or in the 2nd row.

His only issue in rugby has been his defence at times, but I think with the right coaching that could be sorted. And by the look of it he's been itching to use his shoulders in tackles for years.

From all accounts in the past Tana Umaga really had to take him under his wing and keep him under control off the field - theres many stories of Tana having a word in his ear in different situations off the field. I'm not sure if there is that type of leader at the Tigers, but know he would of worked well under Wiki at the Warriors.


Tigers have missed out on a good one here.

 

[Callan Pk]

Amateurs

We'll get some dodgy reserve grader no doubt to hinder the progress of more promising juniors ala moodie and D galea

 

[marshall stalin]

jason moody can play centre

 

[Eddie.]

The lumbering fat fool warren mcronald has made similar quotes in the paper on many occasions. "We thought we had him" bullsh*t doesnt wash ronald you incompetent goose.

The bloke is clearly inept and should be punted immediately.

 

[themanonthehill]

Only 3 months til info day and poker faced ronald wearing his dodgy bus driver's shades will be on the receiving end of some very tough questions. Shmuck