Nonu on Sharks bench after signing for South African side last week<\/p>\n
\u2018I thought it was the right thing to do,\u2019 says 104-cap former All Black<\/p>\n
South African rugby teams love facing the haka. None have ever replied to New Zealand\u2019s traditional pre-match challenge with another haka until Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Ma\u2019a Nonu stepped in front of his new Sharks teammates and performed a solo haka in what will probably be the lasting memory of a tour match the New Zealanders won 54-0 in soggy Durban.<\/p>\n
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Nonu played 104 matches for New Zealand from 2003 to 2015 and has continued playing around the world at the age of 44. The Sharks signed him a week ago to help develop their young players. Then as their injury list lengthened they drafted him onto the bench to face the All Blacks.<\/p>\n
He was reluctant at first. He didn\u2019t want to detract from the Sharks\u2019 first match against the All Blacks in 30 years. He relented to help make up the numbers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought it would be rude to say no,\u201d Nonu told broadcaster SuperSport. \u201cI thought I would put the boots on and try to help the team really.\u201d<\/p>\n
For his first time facing the All Blacks, he talked to New Zealand assistant coaches Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison on Monday about replying to the All Blacks\u2019 haka.<\/p>\n
\u201cOut of respect for our team and on behalf of myself and my family, I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks,\u201d Nonu said.<\/p>\n
After lining up for the anthems, then watching the haka, he stood alone with the Sharks arrayed behind him, and the All Blacks lined up on the other side of halfway. He performed the All Blacks\u2019 own haka, Kapa o Pango, to initial silence from the crowd and growing cheers.<\/p>\n
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Afterwards, he nodded to the All Blacks, many of whom nodded back. Only Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett from Nonu\u2019s last squad still play for New Zealand.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was such a privilege and an honor, and to do the haka, showing my respect on behalf of my family to the team I love,\u201d Nonu said.<\/p>\n
He got into the game with a quarter to go. His first touch was to clatter into flyhalf Ruben Love, who was two years old when Nonu debuted for New Zealand.<\/p>\n