`No grudges' against Nonu

Blues coach John Kirwan is intrigued to see what sort of reception Ma’a Nonu gets at Eden Park tomorrow night.

Nonu and Kirwan fell out over the All Black’s late decision to join the Highlanders for this season.

Kirwan claimed Nonu went back on a handshake agreement when he walked out on the final year of his contract with the Blues. Kirwan felt the lateness of the decision left the Blues in a difficult situation as other midfield options had been overlooked.

This week, the world-class second five-eighth returns to Auckland with the winless Highlanders to face his former team for the first time.

After announcing two changes to his starting team and the return of All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu via the bench, Kirwan batted away suggestions Nonu’s controversial exit had left lingering bad blood. ‘‘No, not all,’’ Kirwan said. ‘‘We sorted that out when I next saw him. ‘‘I don’t hold any grudges. ‘‘That’s just the nature of the business. He made a decision for him and his family. At the time I had to protect the franchise and I will continue to do so. He’s coming back and it will be interesting to see the reception he gets from our people.’’

After a slow start to the season, Nonu appeared to be warming into his work in last week’s one-point loss to the Reds and he is unlikely to be lacking motivation against the Blues. ‘‘They are seriously dangerous,’’ Kirwan said of the Highlanders.

‘‘Ma’a will bring his game this week. We’re seeing Hosea [Gear] on the wing probably having his best season.

‘‘They are hurting. I’m good mates with JR [Jamie Joseph] and I know how proud he is.

‘‘This is going to be a huge game for us.’’

In his first start of the season, Jackson Willison has been handed the task of marking Nonu, with Francis Saili dropping to the bench.

The other change comes at loosehead prop where Tim Perry replaces Tom McCartney, who drops out of the squad. Mealamu takes Quentin Macdonald’s spot in the reserves to make his anticipated return.

‘‘It is a little bit of form.’’ Kirwan said of the changes.

‘‘We’ve got Kevy coming back, so it’s a little bit unlucky on Quentin.

‘‘We think Tim played really well against the Bulls, so we want to have another look at him there. Jacko gives us a little bit more balance in the midfield. Francis has been playing well but he’s been playing a lot, so we want him to take a bit of time out and mentally re-assess and come off the bench for us.

‘‘It will create a bit of competition there as well.’’

Ali Williams will lead the team after the birth this week of his first child.