Is Nonu an All Blacks chance?

alongside, the All Blacks had every base covered in their midfield.

All of this, of course, is old news, but pertinent when it comes to answering the question du jour. Can Nonu play his way, at the ripe old age of 37, into All Blacks contention for a tilt at three straight World Cup titles?

Let’s start with this: what a story it would be if he could do so. It’s been now over three years since he last appeared for the All Blacks, and the best part of a year since he’s played any rugby at all, finishing up with Toulon at the end of the 2017-18 season.

But to have any chance he’s going to have to prove his form, fitness, motivation and sharpness at Super Rugby level. He’s going to have to wind back that clock and find the strength in his legs and resolve in his mind to run out against men with 10, 12, 15 years on him, and show them that the old dog still has a few tricks.

We’re told he’s trained the house down in his time away from the game and that he’s highly enthused about the challenge. (Though not by him, as he has steadfastly refused to speak to the media since resigning with the Blues.)

We can only take him at his word. As always Nonu dances to his own tune.

Nonu is 37, he’s been out of the New Zealand game for a long time, and history tells us it’s incredibly hard to come back to the Kiwi game after a year away, let alone three.

He’s also going to have to make his way through a gaggle of midfield contenders many, many years younger. Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-brown, Williams, Ngani Laumape, Matt Proctor, Vince Aso and Rob Thompson all start ahead of him. Others too.

Of course he can make the All Blacks. But it could snow at Christmas too. The short answer to the question is that no, no, Nonu will not make a miracle comeback to the top level.

But it could be fun watching him try.