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The Sharks are upping their star power with the appointment of All Blacks legend Ma'a Nonu as part of their high-performance mentorship programme.
Nonu will work closely with Sharks Head Coach, Springboks legend and 2007 Rugby World Cup winner JP Pietersen, to build a solid foundation for young players to thrive in the United Rugby Championship's side for years to come.
An official statement released by the Sharks reads: "The Sharks are delighted to announce that two-time Rugby World Cup winner Ma’a Nonu will spend the next few months in Durban as part of a high-performance mentorship programme designed to accelerate the development of the club’s next generation of players by exposing them to one of the most successful leaders in world rugby.
"Nonu joins the club primarily in a mentorship and leadership capacity, working alongside the coaching staff to support player development and strengthen the club’s high-performance culture. Through his long-standing relationship with Head Coach JP Pietersen and a shared belief in developing world-class people as well as players, Durban became the ideal environment for Nonu to embrace the opportunity to give back to the game by investing in the next generation of talent."
Despite being 44 years old, Nonu hasn't officially announced his retirement from rugby, so it will be interesting to see if he has any involvement with the Sharks beyond his duties on the sidelines.
This is very likely, given that André Esterhuizen will be away with the Springboks for an extended period of time.
Nonu the rugby legend
Nonu made his professional debut in 2002 with Wellington in the 2002 provincial competition, before making his Super Rugby debut with the Hurricanes in 2003.
His rise to the top came quickly, making his All Blacks debut in 2003 against England and going on to play 103 times for his country.
The two-time World Cup winner has played his rugby around the world, with stints in Japan and the USA complementing his stellar performances for, primarily, the Hurricanes and Blues in New Zealand and Toulon in France.
Known for his explosive attacking abilities and knack for breaking defensive lines, Nonu goes down as a legend of the game both in New Zealand and globally.
On his move to Durban, Nonu revealed on the Sharks' website: “The Sharks are one of the world’s most iconic rugby clubs and Durban has always been a special place for me to travel to. One of my earliest away matches in Super Rugby was played here, and I’ve carried fond memories of this city and its passionate rugby fans ever since.
“I have immense respect for JP. We competed against each other for many years, and I’m looking forward to working with him and the team.
“This is a great opportunity to give back to the game. Working alongside the future stars of our sport is exciting, and I’m looking forward to doing everything I can to help the club during my time there.”
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