Nonu ready to roar in final
25 May 2006Â
By JIM KAYES
Ma'a Nonu has declared himself fit to start for the Hurricanes against the Crusaders in Saturday night's Super 14 final in Christchurch.
The midfielder took a full part in training yesterday and, though his troublesome right thigh was again heavily strapped, he was confident he would be okay.
"It's not too bad today. Yesterday it was pretty sore, but today's going all right."
If he is okay, Nonu is likely to be part of an unchanged team that he believes has made a key attitude shift from last year, when the Hurricanes were thumped 47-7 by the Crusaders in the semifinal.
"This year is different from last year. We wanted to be in the top four last year, this year we want to go all the way."
Saying it is one thing, but as Nonu â€" who has never won at Jade Stadium with Wellington or the Hurricanes â€" knows, doing it is a tougher job.
The Crusaders have won five of the seven Super 12 finals they have played in, losing only to the Blues in 2003 and the Brumbies a year later. They are formidable at home, with an unbeaten record at Jade Stadium going back to the second round of the 2004 Super 12.
Nonu admitted Jade Stadium was an intimidating place, but the final was an ideal chance to "give it another crack".
He was in rampaging form in the consecutive wins against the Waratahs and his linebreaks, and combination with Tana Umaga, are a key part of the Hurricanes' gameplan.
He is hopeful that he and Umaga can provide the winning of the match. "Possibly, if we get enough ball, if they don't pinch it all the time and that No. 7 (Richie McCaw) doesn't get in there.
"Hopefully, we won't have any scraps like last time. We want a clean game."
Nonu and Umaga will mark fellow All Blacks Aaron Mauger and Casey Laulala in what shapes as a test of the Crusaders' tackling, as neither player is a robust defender.
Nonu, perhaps diplomatically, disputed that. "They are good defenders. Aaron's pretty strong and Casey has improved, so it will be a tough game."
Meanwhile, The Press believes Daniel Carter will be the Crusaders' halfback cover on Saturday.
Kevin Senio will start in place of the injured Andrew Ellis, and coach Robbie Deans had to choose between the inexperienced Matt France or Carter as cover.
France has no first-class experience but is a specialist halfback and will be familiar with the team's calls, defensive systems and plays. However, Carter has the talent, covering while Senio was in the blood bin last week.
He also played briefly at halfback for the All Blacks during the 2003 World Cup, deputising for six minutes after Justin Marshall had been substituted.
Should Carter be forced into halfback, reserve Cameron McIntyre would play at pivot or Leon MacDonald could move into the front line from fullback.
Both sides are named today.
Hurricanes (likely): Isaia Toeava, Lome Fa'atau, Ma'a Nonu, Tana Umaga, Shannon Paku, David Holwell, Piri Weepu, Rodney So'oialo, Chris Masoe, Jerry Collins, Jason Eaton, Paul ***o, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Schwalger. Reserves: Luke Mahoney, Joe McDonnell, Luke Andrews, Thomas Waldrom, Brendan Haami, Jimmy Gopperth, Tamati Ellison.
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