Nonu doesn't rule out league move

Ma'a Nonu

Recalled All Black Ma'a Nonu says rugby will be his focus until the next World Cup, but has not ruled out a move to league further down the track.

Earlier this year Nonu had considered whether his future did in fact lie with league.

His New Zealand Rugby Union contract was due to expire at the end of the season and he had given serious thought to a switch, he said yesterday.

"I had a lot offers in the NRL (National Rugby League) and there was a time when I thought to myself that I was better suited to playing league," he said.

He decided to stay with rugby, believing it required a wider range of skills and developing them would turn him into a better player.

However, Nonu added that league remained an option later in his career.

"I've made a few goals for the next two years so I'll try to accomplish that," he said.

"But it's always in the back of my mind, playing league."

Nonu's inclusion in the 35-strong squad for the Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland is the latest chapter in an up-and-down career with the All Blacks.

The utility back made his debut in New Zealand's 13-15 loss to England in Wellington in 2003, but has added only seven more caps since then.

This year, he made just one appearance off the bench against the Lions and missed selection for the Tri-Nations.

"Players are not perfect that they come into the team and stay there all the time," he said.

"I guess it's something I have to learn to accept, if it makes me a better player."

At domestic level, the NPC was a disappointing one for Wellington, who failed to make the playoffs.

But it did give Nonu the experience of captaining the side in the absence of incumbent Rodney So'oialo on All Blacks duty and after injury to stand-in skipper Joe McDonnell.

Nonu, 23, said it had helped to make him a more vocal person on the field.

As a non-captain, he merely had to play his game and did not need to do a lot of talking.

"But I had to show some of the verbal side this year and try to be the leader," he said.

"So I kind of developed that and came out of my shell."

Nonu accepted that he was widely seen as an impact player, someone who did his best work off the bench, whether at second five-eighth, centre or wing.

But a starting berth on tour, and at his favoured position of centre, would go down well.

"They say around the traps I'm seen as an impact player and if I am that, it's good for the team and good for myself.

"Personally, I'd like to get a go at centre, and it would be a bonus to get a start."

- NZPA