DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — South African rugby teams love facing the haka. None have ever replied to New Zealand’s traditional pre-match challenge with another haka.Until Tuesday.Ma’a Nonu stepped in front of his new Sharks teammates and performed a solo haka in what will probably be the lasting memory of a tour match the New Zealanders won 54-0 at soggy Kings Park.Nonu played 104 matches for New Zealand from 2003-15 and has continued playing around the world at age 44. The Sharks signed him a week ago to help develop their young players. Then as their injury list lengthened they drafted him onto the bench to face the All Blacks.He was reluctant at first. He didn’t want to detract from the Sharks’ first match against the All Blacks in 30 years. He relented to help make up the numbers.“I thought it would be rude to say no,” Nonu told broadcaster SuperSport. “I thought I would put the boots on and try to help the team really.”
For his first time facing the All Blacks, he talked to New Zealand assistant coaches Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison on Monday about replying to the All Blacks’ haka.“Out of respect for our team and on behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks,” Nonu said.
