Ma'a Nonu: The All Black happy putting his body on the line - especially when there's a World Cup at stake

For such a menacing-looking figure on the turf, Ma’a Nonu is surprisingly softly spoken in conversation. The All Black’s dulcet tones, however, cannot hide a steely determination, albeit one that has been tested down the years. Over pre-breakfast tea at his seaside Wellington local he explains that the effort and pain take a toll, but it is worth it with a World Cup looming.