Ma'a Nonu - it was on my head we went backwards

The All Blacks incumbent second-five eighth made no apologies for his team's performance against the Cheetahs, saying that his side took their opponents for granted, and that he and his side had to push through improving defences.

The Hurricanes come up against the competitions premier defensive team in Cape Town, with the Stormers making a statement that they will be a title threat.

For so long the Stormers have been hyped up, but have long lived in the shadow of both the Sharks and the Bulls. They have only twice made the top four of the competition.

But this year, an already strong squad has been buttressed with Springboks Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie, and while their attack has been standard, their defence is magnificent.

In four matches this year, they have let in only 38 points.

To put it into perspective as to how well their blockade has functioned, the second best team – the Crusaders – have conceded 84. The Hurricanes come in as the third best defensive team letting in only 88 points, but despite this are a half century worse than a team that is leaking less than ten points a game.

In the tries conceded column, it is hard to come up with expletives.

The Stormers have only twice had a team cross their line. 

Once, that was via an intercept.

Next best are the Crusaders and the Brumbies, with seven conceded. The Hurricanes have let in eight.

Nonu, who has come under some pressure with some questionable discipline (conceding two yellow cards in the Rebel Sport Super 14), knows that it is now or never for his side to make a statement, in a country where the Hurricanes acknowledge “it is very hard to win”.

And the powerful midfielder, who was the senior three quarter against the Cheetahs, said things have to change this week.

"It was a big blow to the boys and it was pretty much on my head that we went backwards," Nonu said to iol.co.za

"We've got to come out and play against the Stormers. Hurricanes teams of the past haven't been that successful in the past against the Cheetahs.

"You can't take anything for granted."

Nonu, who often reminds us of his former mentor Tana Umaga, also said he was surprised at the response regarding his tackling technique, a throwback to the days when the former All Black captain said the rugby “isn’t tiddlywinks!”

"Just at the weekend, my yellow card, some say I deserved it and others not, but rugby is a contact sport and these rules are taking out the big hits that South Africans and New Zealanders love to do on each other,” Nonu said.

"You do a high shoulder and you get penalised. It's getting a bit boring."

This week, Nonu will be re-united with another experienced All Black, in a Hurricanes team that will have far more potency, with Conrad Smith and Tamati Ellison expected to be named.

"Conrad and I have played together for a while and it is always hard with this team. You talk about combinations but you have to play your best week in and week out," said Nonu.

As for the Stormers vaunted defence, Nonu was aware of the challenges that the Hurricanes would face, especially via their attack.

"There are a lot of teams sharpening up their defence and there aren't as many holes as before. I have found it harder to play footy in the last four weeks,” the number 12 said.

"The Stormers have a very good defence. On first and second phase, they don't really put anyone into the rucks. And the ball stealers are hard to remove so we will have to find some way to score tries."

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