Club opens door to returning ABs stars
The chairman of OrientalRongotai will have the welcome mat ready, if the stars align to allow two of its former All Blacks back into playing club rugby.
In a move he believed would have a hugely positive impact on both the club and its community in the wake of Covid-19, Ories chairman Phil Jones has raised the prospect of having Ma’a Nonu and Julian Savea back on the paddock together, when the rugby season kicks off next month.
Jones said Nonu had already been spotted training in Miramar since returning from the United States, where he had been playing for Major League Rugby club San Diego Legion before the lockdown, while Savea is coming back to play in New Zealand following the expiration of his contract with French outfit Toulon.
‘‘The drums are beating already,’’ Jones said. ‘‘We’d love them to come and play a few games for Ories, or even the season.
‘‘Ma’a is looking pretty good I must admit . . . I’m pretty sure we will see him in an Ories jersey at some stage this year.’’
Jones said it would have massive spin-offs for the grassroots game following a period of uncertainty if clubs across the country were able to call upon some of the sport’s biggest names, while foreign competitions have shut down.
‘‘The players that have played overseas have always come back to the club and played a season or two when they’re older, and it’s great to have those players back because they give so much to the club players, the young guys and the community.’’
Although Savea is looking to base himself in Auckland, where his wife’s family resides, Jones said the door will remain open if the blockbusting wing wants a hitout for his former club, as he weighs up his next move.
While restrictions on gatherings will lift from 10 to 100 this afternoon, the rules will be reviewed by the Government again on June 8, giving clubs some optimism that they may be able to host larger crowds by the time the season begins on June 20.
Jones said Ories will have volunteers stationed at each entry point of the Polo Grounds to ensure it adheres to the contact tracing and gathering restrictions.