Ma’a Nonu reveals the secret to his longevity

The 43-year-old centre is still playing a key role for RC Toulon and will remain with the Top 14 side through to the end of the 2025/26 season.

Nonu rejoined the French outfit last February as a medical joker, linking back up with the squad while also working alongside the coaching staff as he begins mapping out a future in coaching.

He was initially brought in as cover for injured captain Charles Ollivon, before adding further depth after Antoine Frischsuffered a broken leg.

Despite his age, Nonu has made a real on-field impact.

He has logged more than 250 minutes this season, scoring three tries and producing several try-saving tackles in trademark fashion.

So what’s the secret to competing at the top level in your forties?

“I guess it’s what you put in your mouth,” Nonu said earlier this year.

“[My body] hasn’t always been in good shape but I’ve learned with experience about my body and mind. I’m still trying to achieve goals, and it’s the lifestyle you live if you want to play professional sport.”

A key part of that lifestyle has been a significant dietary shift.

Nonu went vegetarian during his first spell in France — inspired by his son Michael.

“Michael, my second one, he’s seven years old. When he was growing up, I was trying to feed him meat – chicken – and he never liked it,” Nonu explained.

“I thought ‘let’s try something new’.

“I said ‘I’m not going to eat meat because I feel sorry for him… If we’re going out and I’m ordering a T-bone steak and he’s eating carrots and cucumber… so I said look for the love of my son I won’t eat meat because I’ll try to be the same as him.’”

From Wellington to France, from powerhouse centre to player-coach in the making, Nonu’s rugby journey has never followed a conventional path.

And remarkably, it’s not over yet.