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Wellington - Former Wellington coach John Plumtree met with Ma'a Nonu on Thursday and still harbours hopes that the unwanted Hurricanes centre's Super Rugby future might lie with the Sharks.
Plumtree and his team are in Wellington, en-route to Nelson for Saturday's playoff match against the Crusaders.
According to Rugby Heaven correspondent Hamish Bidwell, Nonu's signature is being widely sought since the Hurricanes confirmed they would not re-new his contract and his former NPC coach is one of those who has registered his interest.
"Next year? Maybe not next year. But we want to hook up at some stage," Plumtree said during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel.
"He's on my wish-list and you don't get rid of that wish-list too early."
Plumtree indicated that it might not be practical to get Nonu signed for 2012, but he remains optimistic that a reunion will be possible at some stage.
"Ma'a still wants to play for the All Blacks and that's still an incentive, isn't it? And he's got a young family and it's not easy to pick up a young family and take them to South Africa.
While Plumtree won't be leaving Wellington brandishing a contract with Nonu's name on it, the blockbusting centre ensured he wasn't empty handed.
"I've got some nice pauas (abalone) here from Ma'a," Plumtree said.
"He's dropped them off. They're all legal size and there's not too many. You're allowed 10, aren't ya?
Plumtree and his team are in Wellington, en-route to Nelson for Saturday's playoff match against the Crusaders.
According to Rugby Heaven correspondent Hamish Bidwell, Nonu's signature is being widely sought since the Hurricanes confirmed they would not re-new his contract and his former NPC coach is one of those who has registered his interest.
"Next year? Maybe not next year. But we want to hook up at some stage," Plumtree said during a press conference at the Intercontinental Hotel.
"He's on my wish-list and you don't get rid of that wish-list too early."
Plumtree indicated that it might not be practical to get Nonu signed for 2012, but he remains optimistic that a reunion will be possible at some stage.
"Ma'a still wants to play for the All Blacks and that's still an incentive, isn't it? And he's got a young family and it's not easy to pick up a young family and take them to South Africa.
While Plumtree won't be leaving Wellington brandishing a contract with Nonu's name on it, the blockbusting centre ensured he wasn't empty handed.
"I've got some nice pauas (abalone) here from Ma'a," Plumtree said.
"He's dropped them off. They're all legal size and there's not too many. You're allowed 10, aren't ya?
