Ma’a Nonu, 103 caps for the All Blacks and a double world champion (2011, 2015), was expected to wrap up his time with Toulon this summer. Instead, the 43-year-old center has agreed to go
one more round with the RCT.
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Nonu had rejoined Toulon back in February as a medical joker. At 42, it raised eyebrows — but the man delivered. A true leader, he played just over 100 minutes across four Top 14 matches, including a try in the playoff win over Castres. Not much time, but plenty of impact.
"I had analyzed the 'beast' well before signing it," said manager Pierre Mignoni ahead of the Top 14 semi-final loss to UBB (39-24), which Nonu did not play.
"It brings us exactly what we were looking for. He sweats rugby and impacts the other players in the locker room. Our group needed someone like that: that he was on the ground is a good thing, but that he was not there is also a good thing. I enjoy coaching him. I really like the man and the player."
Nonu wasn’t just a stopgap — he became a pillar. A steady hand for the younger players, a respected voice for the staff. Initially signed through June 30, he was supposed to return home. But RCT needed more depth at center, and Nonu was convinced to stay.
"Whenever I am given the opportunity to play, I will do my best to get the most out of me for the good of the RCT," he said last month.
That mindset won him admirers — and another season.
Joining him in running it back: Jeremy Sinzelle, who turned 35 this week and appeared on 27 team sheets (25 starts), will stay on. Mickaël Ivaldi (35) will also continue in a medical joker role, covering for injured Italian hooker Gianmarco Lucchesi (knee).
The old guard isn't going anywhere — and Toulon will be better for it.
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Four Lions players who flopped against the Reds
Some Lions roared — others whimpered. Here's the breakdown of who boosted their Test stock and who sent it plummeting.
? Duhan Van Der Meh
When fast and loose turns into just loose.
RUCK 5.5/10:
"Van der Merwe was very suspect especially in defence with some key moments when he looked well off the pace. In attack he just looked very one dimensional and looked nowhere near his usual standard we’re used to."
"Van der Merwe was very suspect especially in defence with some key moments when he looked well off the pace. In attack he just looked very one dimensional and looked nowhere near his usual standard we’re used to."
Rugby Pass 5/10:
"The Reds exploited his slowness to turn with some probing kicks and he was nearly made to pay for a casual one-handed gather when under pressure on his own try line.
"The Reds exploited his slowness to turn with some probing kicks and he was nearly made to pay for a casual one-handed gather when under pressure on his own try line.
"It took 14 minutes before he received his first pass and was largely anonymous as an attacker until the game started to break up. Nice finish for the Lions’ third try atoned for some of his backfield errors, but was overshadowed by his fellow winger Freeman."
FLO Rugby 3/10:
"Firmly on the back foot for a test spot, the powerhouse Scottish winger does not look comfortable in the Lions’ system. Unlike Scotland, where his strike running ability is a key focal point, in Andy Farrell’s system, more is expected of wingers to go looking for work.
"Firmly on the back foot for a test spot, the powerhouse Scottish winger does not look comfortable in the Lions’ system. Unlike Scotland, where his strike running ability is a key focal point, in Andy Farrell’s system, more is expected of wingers to go looking for work.
"Throw into the mix his struggles in the air, rather reckless one-handed grab of a ball behind his own line and brutally poor positioning for the Reds’ second try by Josh Flook, and it is tough to see Farrell trusting him on the big occasions. Overall, it was a fast and loose showing from van der Merwe, who did score a try, albeit it was a simple run-in."
? Hooked on a Feeling (of Meh)
Ronan Kelleher struggles to keep pace.
Mail Online 5/10:
"Had a couple of lineouts pinched as the set-piece struggled. Fumbled the ball in a promising attacking position as his Test hopes slipped."
"Had a couple of lineouts pinched as the set-piece struggled. Fumbled the ball in a promising attacking position as his Test hopes slipped."
RUCK 5/10:
"The Lions on a whole were lacklustre with their discipline especially with handling errors and Kelleher just wasn’t clicking with the Lions’ attacking pace which only added to the penalty count. Provided decent throw-ins to the lineout, which aided the Lions’ attack."
"The Lions on a whole were lacklustre with their discipline especially with handling errors and Kelleher just wasn’t clicking with the Lions’ attacking pace which only added to the penalty count. Provided decent throw-ins to the lineout, which aided the Lions’ attack."
RUGBY PASS 5.5/10:
"Ireland’s hooker was certainly not the only player guilty of costly handling errors but the one that he spilt from Jones’ pass was particularly bad given it looked easier for the Lions to score. Also missed his first lineout throw and never really got going as a ball carrier. Clocked up the tackles though and can’t be faulted for his effort."
"Ireland’s hooker was certainly not the only player guilty of costly handling errors but the one that he spilt from Jones’ pass was particularly bad given it looked easier for the Lions to score. Also missed his first lineout throw and never really got going as a ball carrier. Clocked up the tackles though and can’t be faulted for his effort."
FLO RUGBY 5/10:
"Rugby’s equivalent of a mix’n’pick, Kelleher’s performance was a combination of the good and bad. Getting pressured at line-out time by the Reds’ jumpers, Kelleher’s susceptibility to overcompensating as he has done with Ireland only makes matters worse in this department.
"Rugby’s equivalent of a mix’n’pick, Kelleher’s performance was a combination of the good and bad. Getting pressured at line-out time by the Reds’ jumpers, Kelleher’s susceptibility to overcompensating as he has done with Ireland only makes matters worse in this department.
"In open play, Kelleher was exceptional in both the carry and around the breakdown. One caveat to add was that Kelleher appeared a touch fatigued, which is unsurprising given he has played in all three matches thus far."
? Curry Lacking Flavour
England flanker looks stuck in second gear.
RUGBY PASS 5/10:
"Well below his usual world-class standards. Dropped passes and dropped off a couple of tackles, although he did link up well at times in the wide channels."
"Well below his usual world-class standards. Dropped passes and dropped off a couple of tackles, although he did link up well at times in the wide channels."
FLO RUGBY 4.5/10:
"Caught between two stools in a system that is more accustomed to a bigger six, Curry has yet to look comfortable in a role that requires constant big carries.
"Caught between two stools in a system that is more accustomed to a bigger six, Curry has yet to look comfortable in a role that requires constant big carries.
"Losing two balls in the first half with knock-ons and generally just lacking the impact he brings in the England set-up, it’ll be interesting to see if he gets a run at openside in the upcoming fixtures."
RUCK 5.5/10:
"Curry was, to put it simply, relatively decent. He struggled to click in attack with errors creeping in to the Englishman’s performance. In defence he was again solid he just never really had the chance to grab the headlines or impact the game in any major way."
"Curry was, to put it simply, relatively decent. He struggled to click in attack with errors creeping in to the Englishman’s performance. In defence he was again solid he just never really had the chance to grab the headlines or impact the game in any major way."
? Stuart’s Sloppy Shift
A rough ride for the Bath tighthead.
FLO RUGBY 4/10:
"Not the outing the Bath star would’ve hoped for at scrum time. In conjunction with Porter, Stuart was pinged for a few costly penalties that relieved pressure on the Reds. In open play, Stuart routinely looked to get involved but had a few errors, namely knock-ons, when running support lines. Coughing up a sloppy penalty in the 47th minute with a high tackle summed up Stuart’s outing, which was his third penalty of the day."
"Not the outing the Bath star would’ve hoped for at scrum time. In conjunction with Porter, Stuart was pinged for a few costly penalties that relieved pressure on the Reds. In open play, Stuart routinely looked to get involved but had a few errors, namely knock-ons, when running support lines. Coughing up a sloppy penalty in the 47th minute with a high tackle summed up Stuart’s outing, which was his third penalty of the day."
RUCK 4.5/10:
"Stuart looked massively off the pace for the majority of his time on the field. Three penalties conceded and numerous mistakes at scrum time and also with ball in hand, Stuart failed to impress on any level."
"Stuart looked massively off the pace for the majority of his time on the field. Three penalties conceded and numerous mistakes at scrum time and also with ball in hand, Stuart failed to impress on any level."
RUGBY PASS 4.5/10:
"Failed in his audition for the Lions No.3 jersey despite going into the match in a rich vein of form. Gave away an early scrum penalty, handing the Reds a cheap out and also gave away a ‘coach-killer’ penalty when he illegally stripped the ball on the floor. Compounded that with a tired-looking high shot in the second half, which earned him a third penalty. Hooked after 50 minutes."
"Failed in his audition for the Lions No.3 jersey despite going into the match in a rich vein of form. Gave away an early scrum penalty, handing the Reds a cheap out and also gave away a ‘coach-killer’ penalty when he illegally stripped the ball on the floor. Compounded that with a tired-looking high shot in the second half, which earned him a third penalty. Hooked after 50 minutes."
QUIZ: Can you name the 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
Think you’re a true rugby nut? It's time to put your Lions knowledge to the test.
12 years have passed since Warren Gatland’s men roared to a famous series win over Australia, but how well do you really remember the iconic 2013 British & Irish Lions squad?
From legendary leaders to surprise selections, we’ve lined up every player from that unforgettable tour. All you have to do is name them. No pressure, right?
Take the quiz below and prove your rugby brain still bites.
? Scroll down and get cracking – how many can you get without cheating?
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