Nonu aims for a smooth transition

Ma’a Nonu will be the centre of attention tomorrow when the All Blacks take on Canada, but the rising Wellington star would be happier if no-one noticed him.

After all, the 21-year-old has been given the hefty task of filling the experienced shoes of injured vice-captain Tana Umaga and a seamless transition would be a successful one.

Nonu, with his bleach-tipped dreadlocks, is of similar build and style to his provincial team-mate Umaga and is looking forward to assuming the responsibilities of one of New Zealand's stars.