Rugby: Sabbatical deals may be offered in future

Ma'a Nonu. Photo / Getty Images

Despite appearing tired and obviously lacking zip since returning from his Japanese sabbatical, Ma'a Nonu's situation has not put the New Zealand Rugby Union off others making similar moves.

Nonu became the second New Zealander to enjoy a playing sabbatical when he signed a two-year deal with the NZRU last year that allowed him to play for the Ricoh Black Rams after the World Cup and then join the Blues in early March.

The deal was signed off as a means to allow Nonu a massive financial boost while locking him into New Zealand until the end of next year. The timing was convenient: with the World Cup finishing in late October, Nonu was able to join the Rams ahead of their campaign and played every game bar one. They didn't make the play-offs, meaning he was back in Auckland by late February.

He wasn't picked to play against the Chiefs but he was on the plane to South Africa with the Blues the day after they were beaten in Hamilton.

Until last night, he had started every game for the Blues since round three. He has played continuously since February 2011, when he endured an emotionally draining campaign with the Hurricanes and was ultimately sacked, then bounced back to be nominated as an IRB Player of the Year and help the All Blacks win the World Cup.

The 20-month workload appears to have taken its toll.

But NZRU general manager of professional rugby, Neil Sorensen, says the national body will continue to treat sabbaticals on a case-by-case basis. "We are still learning about this," he said. "This is new territory for all of us and I think if we have a player say he really wants a playing sabbatical, we'd be able to talk to him about the experiences of both Daniel [Carter] and Ma'a and that would be helpful.

"We remain open to the idea of players taking time out, getting away and enjoying different experiences during their careers and if some want to play rugby, or go tramping in Nepal, we will see if we can accommodate those requests."

Jerome Kaino is understood to have contemplated a sabbatical when he was weighing his options earlier this year but decided just to sign a two-year deal to play in Japan and commit his future there.