Ma’a Nonu is set to return to action for Toulon. (Johnny Fidelin/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
The 42-year-old former New Zealand centre Ma’a Nonu has signed as medical cover until the end of the season for Toulon, where he has already played twice, the French Top 14 side announced on Tuesday.
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A two-time world champion in 2011 and 2015, Nonu will be filling in for Setariki Tuicuvu, Gabin Villiere and Antoine Frisch, all of whom were injured and absent from Saturday’s 24-6 win over Stade Francais.
“Because a season is played out to the end and to compensate for certain long-term absences, Toulon will be able to count on an experienced reinforcement to accompany the squad over the coming weeks,” said the club in a social media post accompanied by a video showing team manager Mathieu Bastareaud handing Nonu a No 12 jersey.
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Parce qu’une saison se joue jusqu’au bout et pour palier à certaines absences de longue durée, le RCT pourra compter sur un renfort d’expérience pour accompagner le groupe dans les semaines à venir… pic.twitter.com/lg3DYTzSaG
— RCT – Rugby Club Toulonnais (@RCTofficiel) February 25, 2025
Nonu played 103 times for the All Blacks before joining Toulon between 2015-2018, during which time he started alongside Bastareaud in the Top 14 final loss to Clermont in 2017.
After leaving for New Zealand and the United States in 2018, he returned to Toulon for the 2020-2021 season, before playing for San Diego Legion in Major League Rugby.
Toulon are currently second in the Top 14 with Nonu, now the oldest person in the league, in line to make his third debut for the club at Lyon on Saturday.
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Src: News24.com