Nonu's solo haka highlights All Blacks tour in South Africa

A powerful solo haka performed by former All Blacks great Maa Nonu for the Sharks in Durban on Tuesday night became a defining moment of New Zealand's historic longform tour of South Africa, overshadowing the All Blacks' comprehensive 54-0 victory. The emotional pre-match gesture, a display of deep respect and rugby tradition, encapsulated the spirit of the tour's return to a format not seen since 1996.

Nonu, a 44-year-old double Rugby World Cup winner who joined the Sharks as a player-mentor last month, was a surprise inclusion on the bench for the exhibition match. After the All Blacks performed their traditional haka, Nonu stepped forward alone from the Sharks' line-up to deliver a stirring response. He later explained the moment was a spontaneous decision made after consulting with former All Black Tana Umaga, now the All Blacks' defense coach, and Sharks assistant Tamati Ellison. "I just had questions about it the night before, and I kind of said no, because I didn't want it to be about myself," Nonu told Sky Sport. "I spoke to Tana Umaga and Tamati Ellison... I thought it was the right thing to do, to answer the boys and the All Blacks."