42-year-old Nonu back for more

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Toulon have signed Ma’a Nonu as a medical joker until the end of the season.

The former All Blacks centre had two successful spells with the French club – 2015-2018 and 2020-2021 – and played for the San Diego Legion in the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Major League Rugby tournaments.

Nonu will be filling in for Setariki Tuicuvu, Gabin Villiere and Antoine Frisch, all of whom were injured and absent from Toulon’s 24-6 win over Stade Francais on Saturday.

“Because a season is played out to the end and to compensate for certain long-term absences, Toulon will be able to count on an experienced reinforcement to accompany the squad over the coming weeks,” said the club in a social media post accompanied by a video showing team manager Mathieu Bastareaud handing Nonu a No 12 jersey.

According to Midi Olympique, there had been speculation regarding Nonu’s return to the playing field in recent weeks after he’d been part of the Toulon coaching staff before getting involved in on-field training too.

The French publication said while the 42-year-old has not played any rugby since last July, with the Legion, he has kept himself in good physical condition.

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