Nonu staying in New Zealand

Rugby:Speculation linking All Black centre Ma'a Nonu with Munster was put firmly to bed this morning after the 29-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Auckland Blues. The former Wellington Hurricanes star had been slated as a target for Tony McGahan's side, with reports last December suggesting he could move to Thomond Park after the World Cup.

Instead, Nonu will stay in New Zealand after agreeing a contract which locks him into the All Blacks set-up until the end of 2013 while giving him a "sabbatical" to play in Japan.

"I'm happy that I'm continuing my career in New Zealand and would like to thank the Blues for giving me the opportunity to join them," Nonu said. "I was flattered and grateful to receive offers to play for other teams as well but the Blues was the best option for me and my family and I'm really looking forward to joining them next year."

Nonu, along with Hurricanes skipper Andrew Hore, was released by Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett despite playing more than 100 games for the Wellington-based side and being considered a certainty for All Blacks coach Graham Henry's World Cup squad.

Having explored the option of playing overseas after being stung by the dismissal, Nonu will now join the Black Rams in Japan's Top League before returning to New Zealand for next year's Super season.

The deal elevates the explosive inside centre into a select group of New Zealand players, including outhalf Dan Carter and captain Richie McCaw, who have been given the flexibility to play overseas while honouring their national

contracts.

"Ma'a is an outstanding, world-class player who has been committed to New Zealand rugby for the best part of a decade, and for him to commit further is fantastic news," NZRU CEO Steve Tew.

"We have said that we will look to be flexible when it comes to re-contracting our leading players and we think giving him the chance to play in Japan is another example of that flexibility."

The Hurricanes notched only five wins in a dismal season to miss the play-offs and finish ninth in the 15-team standings. The Blues clash with Australia's Queensland Reds tomorrow for a place in the title decider.