‘An honour’: Ma’a Nonu answers haka from All Blacks in emotional return to South Africa

Ma’a Nonu had waited almost 11 years to face the All Blacks - and then the haka came, the former New Zealand rugby great answered it himself.

The 44-year-old, who played 103 Tests for the All Blacks, performed a solo haka in Durban, South Africa, early Wednesday morning (NZT), before coming off the bench for the Sharks against his former side.

For Nonu, it was not about making the moment about himself. It was about showing respect to the team he represented for so long.

“It was great to see the boys and play against them for the first time. It was such a privilege and an honour, and to do the haka as well,” Nonu told Sky Sport.

“To show my respect on behalf of my family to the boys and to the team I love and will always love.”

Nonu had been asked about responding to the haka the night before but says he initially decided against it.

Ma'a Nonu performing the 'Kapa o Pango' haka. Photo/Facebook

“I kind of said no because this week I didn’t want it to be about myself being on the bench, the All Blacks and my history with the team. I wanted it to be about the All Blacks and the Sharks.”

That changed after he spoke with former All Blacks Fa’alogo Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison.

“I spoke to Tana and Tamati, I asked Tamati for permission, in terms of doing it out of respect on behalf of our team, on behalf of myself and my family, and I thought it was the right thing to do to answer the boys and the All Blacks.”

Nonu last played for the All Blacks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final win over Australia, but his return to the field against New Zealand added another chapter to a career that has spanned more than two decades.

He entered with about 20 minutes remaining, with the All Blacks already leading 35-0. They went on to win 54-0.

The haka response quickly became one of the biggest talking points of the night with current All Blacks and former among those showing their support for Nonu afterwards.

There was also a Pacific connection in the post-match jersey exchanges. Fijian backs Timoci Tavatavanawai and Emoni Narawa joked about who would get Nonu’s jersey. Narawa eventually won the battle.

Fehi Fineanganofo. Photo/Ron Gaunt/Photosport

And while Nonu’s return stole much of the attention, another Pacific player had a night to remember.

Tongan prospect Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa made his All Blacks debut, becoming the last of the three uncapped players originally named in the tour squad to take the field.

The young forward came on in the second half and later spoke about the people who helped him reach the highest level of the game.

“Never thought I’d be here, I’d always dream of it, but it’s just the Lord’s plan for me to get here, so just all glory to him,” he told journalists post-match.

“Obviously it takes a village for me to be here… so just want to say thank you to all my family and friends that got me here. They deserve to see their hard work pay off, so it’s more so special for them than it is for me.”

Wednesday’s match was a rare meeting for Nonu - between past and present - a former All Black answering the haka before taking the field against the team he once called his own.

For Tupou Ta’eiloa, it was the beginning of his All Blacks story.

New Zealand now turn their attention to Pretoria where they face the Vodacom Bulls on Sunday, 16 August, with kick-off at 5am (NZT).

For more information on the All Blacks Greatest Rivalry Tour click here.