Wynne Gray: Sabbatical may work if Hurricanes can't take Nonu

Ma'a Nonu could take a sabbatical. Photo / Getty Images

Ma'a Nonu and James O'Connor.

Midfield men (yes Robbie or even wider out) who trouble the opposition and seem to create all sorts of issues for their Super 15 franchises at the same time.

O'Connor is a precocious talent who did not settle with the Force or Rebels and is still a man without a franchise in Australia for 2014.

Sounds like? Nonu, the former second five-eighths for the Hurricanes, Blues and Highlanders, who is also on the lookout for a contract next season. The 30-year-old has yet to do a deal and the Chiefs and Crusaders have said no way Jose.

Three options remain.

The NZRU can bring down their all-powerful mitt to persuade the under-achieving Hurricanes they need to reclaim one of their own.

Coach Mark Hammett can push back and say the peace pipe will not work after the pair's impasse in 2011.

Nonu can take a sabbatical.

Those current players ahead of him on the All Black test chart like Richie McCaw (116 tests), Keven Mealamu (104) and Tony Woodcock (98) have all been allowed to take various forms of time out.

Daniel Carter (95 tests) is going to sit out the Super 15 next year though he hasn't revealed any details about how or what he will be doing on his leave. But he is having time off.

Conrad Smith had one extended holiday in South America and will miss this year's trip to Europe as he takes up his sabbatical.

So why not Nonu?

He is the most capped second five-eighths in New Zealand rugby history and has played 79 internationals in the black jersey. Only seven men have played more tests for the All Blacks and by the end of this season, only McCaw, Mealamu, Mils Muliaina, Woodcock, Carter and Sean Fitzpatrick will be ahead of him.

If there are too many burning stones between Nonu, Hammett and a reconciliation with the Hurricanes, then maybe it would be best for everyone if Nonu had some time out.

He could go travelling, work on the rubbish trucks or play for his Ories club when he's ready to follow a similar path to McCaw's this season.

If an older McCaw can recharge and return to even more physical demands then Nonu might put in his leave slip for some similar treatment.