Nonu palms Wests Tigers to stay in NZ
October 16, 2007
http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Nonu-palms-Wests-Tigers-to-stay-in-NZ/2007/10/16/1192300760528.html
Wests Tigers are ruing a late change of heart from former All Blacks winger Ma'a Nonu, who has rejected an offer to switch codes to re-sign with the New Zealand Rugby Union.
The NRL club 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 told NZPA.
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.
© 2007
AAP
