Nonu's back at the Blues, effectively because no other NZ franchise wants him. Photo / Getty Images
John Kirwan comes across with such relentless positivity that it's easy to see the good things about Ma'a Nonu's return to the Blues, but even he must know his about-turn on the wandering midfielder comes with big risks.
The biggest is what influence Nonu will have on Kirwan's younger players,
especially Francis Saili, a new All Black who happens to play in Nonu's preferred second-five position.
Nonu has earned a reputation, rightly or wrongly, of being a divisive figure - a bad influence, something which his migration around three teams in three seasons did nothing to dispel. Now he's back at the Blues, effectively because no other New Zealand franchise wanted him.
There are rumours that Nonu was a big factor in Aaron Cruden leaving the Hurricanes for the Chiefs - any similar pressure on other players within Kirwan's Blues squad could have a catastrophic effect. Having done such good work in building what appeared to be a close and harmonious squad in his first year in charge - and the on-field results were extremely positive before dropping off at the end of the season - any difficulties posed by a player with Nonu's track record will unravel that good work and more.
It's not Nonu's fault, but his arrival is understood to have already effectively ended the Blues career of Malakai Fekitoa, a 100kg midfielder who played every match of Auckland's 2012 ITM Cup campaign but who didn't make an appearance for the Blues this year despite being seen as one for the future. With Rene Ranger moving to France, Fekitoa must have been excited about his opportunity to push his case for next season, but Nonu's signing has squashed that. It is understood that he has signed with the Highlanders.
