Ma'a Nonu set to play AGAINST the All Blacks

Wednesday, 05 August 2026 at 20:23

byCharlie Elliott

Legendary All Blacks centre Ma'a Nonu could line up against his former team during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour after joining the Sharks.

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Nonu was a central figure in New Zealand's Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015, making him one of just 45 players to have lifted the Webb Ellis Cup more than once.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest centres in rugby union history, he remains one of the sport's most iconic figures.

The 44-year-old recently left Toulon after becoming the oldest player to appear and score a try in Top 14 history before making the move to the South African outfit.

Working under head coach JP Pietersen, Nonu has joined the Sharks to mentor the club's younger players and help "accelerate the development of the next generation of players," as the club stated.

Despite taking on that role, his playing days may not be over. Nonu featured in 11 Top 14 matches for Toulon last season and crossed for three tries.

The All Blacks' tour includes four blockbuster fixtures against Rassie Erasmus' Springboks, along with games against South African franchises. One of those is against the Sharks on August 11.

With regular inside centre André Esterhuizen away on Springboks duty, there could be an opportunity for Nonu to feature against his old side.

When asked about the possibility on Tuesday, the Sharks gave little away, saying: "We can neither confirm nor deny whether Ma'a Nonu could—or could not—face the All Blacks. Just for information."

All Blacks Handed NIGHTMARE Route to 2027 Rugby World Cup Final

The All Blacks have been handed a potentially brutal route to the 2027 Rugby World Cup final after being drawn alongside hosts Australia in one of the tournament’s toughest pools.

With the competition expanding to 24 teams and introducing a Round of 16 for the first time, New Zealand can already map out their possible path to the Webb Ellis Cup — and it is packed with danger.

Pool A: A Trans-Tasman Showdown

New Zealand have been drawn in Pool A with Australia, creating one of the marquee clashes of the group stage. The All Blacks and Wallabies are expected to battle for top spot, with the pool winner earning a potentially more favourable route through the knockout stages.

Under the tournament format, the top two teams from each pool automatically qualify for the Round of 16, while the four best third-placed teams across all pools also advance.

For New Zealand, the objective will be simple: finish first in Pool A.

Round of 16: A Third-Placed Opponent Awaits

If the All Blacks top Pool A, they will face one of the tournament's best third-placed teams in the Round of 16.

Based on the draw, that opponent would come from Pools C, E or F. Possible challengers could include:

Samoa, USA or Japan (Pool E)
Wales or Tonga (Pool F)
One of the emerging contenders from Pool C

On paper, this should represent a manageable first knockout assignment for New Zealand.

Quarter-Final: Potential Clash with South Africa

The bracket reveals the first major obstacle on New Zealand's path.

Should the All Blacks win Pool A and progress through the Round of 16, they are likely to face the winner of Pool B in the quarter-finals. Defending champions South Africa are overwhelming favourites to top that group, which also contains Italy, Georgia and Romania.

That means the Rugby Championship rivals could be set for another World Cup knockout classic, with the Springboks standing between New Zealand and the final four.

Given South Africa's recent dominance and World Cup pedigree, many observers view this as one of the most anticipated potential quarter-finals of the tournament.

Semi-Final: France Looms Large

If New Zealand overcome South Africa, the likely semi-final opponent would emerge from the opposite side of the bracket containing Pool E.

France are strong favourites to win Pool E, which also includes Japan, Samoa and the United States.

Les Bleus are expected to navigate their side of the draw and could set up a blockbuster semi-final against the All Blacks. A meeting between two of world rugby's most talented squads would undoubtedly be one of the highlights of the tournament.

Potential Final Opponents

Should New Zealand reach the final, several heavyweight nations could await.

The opposite half of the draw is expected to be led by:

Ireland
Scotland
Argentina
England

England's route appears favourable if they top Pool F, while Ireland and Scotland will again meet in the pool stage before potentially making deep runs into the knockout rounds.

Argentina, meanwhile, remain one of the dark horses after their impressive performances in recent World Cups.

Predicted Route to the Final

Assuming the major nations win their pools, the All Blacks' most likely pathway would be:

Pool Stage

Australia
Other Pool A opponents

Round of 16

Best third-placed qualifier (from Pools C, E or F)

Quarter-Final

South Africa (Pool B winner)

Semi-Final

France (Pool E winner)

Final

Ireland, England, Scotland or Argentina

Quiz: Name these 10 retro rugby players

From jaw-dropping tries to unforgettable moments (and yes, some questionable haircuts), these players defined a golden era of the game. If their names don’t instantly come to mind, we suggest a quick trip to YouTube to jog your memory. Trust us, it’s worth it.

Ready to test your knowledge? Let’s see if you’ve still got it. Good luck!