Ma'a Nonu, an All Blacks legend and current player-coach for the Sharks club, issued a warning to South African teams. He urged them to stop viewing the Investec Champions Cup as a secondary competition.
Champions Cup
Nonu addressed the South African contenders, insisting that they must view the leading European club tournament not as an optional extra, but as a chance to demonstrate their strength against the best sides.
The two-time World Rugby Cup winner made these statements during the opening ceremony of the Investec Champions Cup season, which took place at the sponsor's headquarters in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Nonu is well acquainted with this tournament, having played for the French giant Toulon for 108 matches before joining the Sharks as a player-coach.
The Sharks team did not qualify for the Champions Cup last season because they failed to make it into the top eight of the URC. His message to the South African teams participating in the current Champions Cup season was very clear: they need to improve.
Nonu emphasized that South African teams must realize the privilege of participating in this tournament. He noted the high status of the European teams that participate annually, pointing out that these teams consist of some of the world's best rugby players. He stated that South African teams should not see it merely as a bonus, but must be competitive and show Europe where they come from.
Previously, South African teams were unable to advance past the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup because they mainly focused on the URC after entering European competitions. Nonu believes that the Champions Cup provides South African teams with a unique opportunity—regular interaction with the elite of European club rugby.
He compared it to the French Top 14 tournament, calling it a competition that currently has no equal in competitiveness, and named it the best rugby tournament in the world. With personal experience in the Top 14, Nonu added that the appeal of this tournament goes beyond the quality of play. Many players from different countries travel to play rugby in France, and many South Africans have built their careers there. Furthermore, every match is played in packed stadiums, and fans are willing to travel to away games.
For Nonu, the contrast between this and Super Rugby is very noticeable. He believes that the decline in competitiveness and appeal of the competition in the Southern Hemisphere should serve as a warning. He compared the current state of rugby in New Zealand to the state of Super Rugby. He recalled that about twenty years ago, Super Rugby featuring South African teams was considered a tournament everyone watched. However, the situation has changed drastically, and the French are teaching everyone a lesson on how rugby should be presented.