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Ma’a Nonu is returning to Major League Rugby. On Saturday the San Diego Legion confirmed that the All Blacks centurion has signed a new deal with the club for the 2022 season.
Nonu helped the Legion to an undefeated run in the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign but departed the team at its conclusion. He rejoined French Top 14 giants Toulon where he played 16 games during the 2020-2021 season.
Rumors began circulating in May that the 39-year-old center would be returning to San Diego. More recently he had been linked with a move to Super Rugby expansion side Moana Pasifika.
The news is welcome to all of MLR but especially Legion fans who saw their team slip to 9th in the 12-team competition last year. It’s the second international signing for the side in the offseason following USA Eagles flyhalf or fullback Will Hooley.
It will be a reunion of sorts for Nonu and fellow New Zealander Danny Lee in San Diego. The latter is the new Head Coach of the Legion. On two occasions they played opposite each other in Super Rugby.
HE’S BACK🛡
Beyond thrilled to have New Zealand All Black superstar, Ma’a Nonu back at the Legion in 2022
2X -World Cup
5X -Tri-Nations/Rugby Championships
8X -Bledisloe Cups
103 Caps -New Zealand All Blacks
300 + Caps -Professional Rugby#MLR2022 @maavelous pic.twitter.com/SUa5OkIohA
— San Diego Legion (@SDLegion) October 23, 2021
