DURBAN, South Africa (AP) — Sharks coach JP Pietersen has defended his decision to pick All Blacks great Ma'a Nonu to play against New Zealand.
“His name says it all,” Pietersen said on Monday, the day before the Sharks host the All Blacks' second tour match at Kings Park.
The 44-year-old Nonu arrived at the Sharks only last Tuesday primarily to mentor and help develop their younger players. His selection in the reserves for a side without eight senior Springboks and impacted by injuries turned heads, even among the touring All Blacks.
Local critics jumped on the irony of Nonu coming to help player development while playing in a milestone match at the possible expense of a young Shark.
But Pietersen said Nonu wasn't denying anyone a spot, the midfield choices were limited, and he had to respect what he called “a massive and awesome” occasion as the Sharks host the All Blacks for the first time in 30 years.
“This is our strongest team,” Pietersen insisted.
"It's great he's here with us and giving our young boys just a feel of what the All Blacks may give to them. He's slot in like he was here for a long (time) and the boys love him.
“It's going to be an emotional game for Ma'a because it's the first time he's playing against the All Blacks. It'll be awesome to see tomorrow.”
Nonu retired from the All Blacks in 2015 as a two-time World Cup champion with 103 caps. He's continued to play for clubs around the world.
Pietersen, a former Springbok opponent of Nonu's, has urged his youngish side, which has not played since May 16 and was in preseason training, to “make a memory” to talk about for the next 30 years.
The Sharks include Vusi Moyo, who became the youngest flyhalf in Springboks history at 20 last month in the win against Wales. They also have six players from the South Africa A side which beat Zimbabwe 40-0 in June. They had seven but lock Vincent Tshituka withdrew on Monday due to concussion.
“We will not be at 100%, at best at 70 or 80%, but we'll give it everything we can,” Pietersen said.
Rain is forecast for the entire match.
The All Blacks beat the Stormers 38-21 in Cape Town on Friday in their tour opener.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
FILE - Rugby union club Toulon's (RCT) new recruit, Ma'a Nonu, passes the ball during a training session before the Top 14 rugby match between Toulon and Agen, at the Mayol stadium, in Toulon, Southern France, Saturday, Dec. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Claude Paris, File)
ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy returned to the team Monday for his first training camp practice since his wife was shot at their Virginia home and the couple's 27-year-old son was arrested in the shooting.
Bieniemy was greeted by a handful of fans as he walked down the long hill to the fields at Missouri Western State University, where the Chiefs hold camp. Then he jumped right into his first practice since Mia Bieniemy was shot the evening of July 26.
“It was good to have EB back, back in full. I don't think he missed a snap he was out there,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “Listen, I was talking to him several times a day. I knew when he was coming back. The primary thing is that Mia is stable, that she's doing well.”
Elijah Bieniemy has been charged with malicious wounding, the use of a firearm in commission of a felony and discharge of a firearm inside a dwelling. His court appearances have been delayed pending a mental health evaluation.
Eric Bieniemy, who returned to the Chiefs earlier this year, had been staying in touch with Reid and the rest of the staff, and had been watching streams of some practices. In one case, he called Chiefs manager Brett Veach — who was sitting next to Reid — and asked him to hand over the phone, then proceeded to tell the head coach a point of instruction for a running back.
“It was great to have him back out there. Everybody was glad to see him," Reid said. “I think once you start going, then you're going. It is like a game. Once you're in the game, you're in the game. But he always brings the energy.”
Bieniemy was part of coaching staffs that helped Kansas City reach three Super Bowls and win two of them. But because Reid is the primary play-caller, Bieniemy left to serve as the offensive coordinator with the Washington Commanders, where he would be able to call his own plays and perhaps better position himself for a head coaching job in the NFL.
The Commanders struggled in his lone season there, though, and Bieniemy and the rest of the staff were let go. He spent a season with UCLA and last season coached the running backs with the Chicago Bears before returning to Kansas City as the offensive coordinator.
He replaced Matt Nagy, who was hired as the offensive coordinator of the New York Giants.
“Obviously it's great to have him back. We missed him and prayed for his family when he was out,” Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton said. “But to have a guy like that come back to the field, man, a competitor — it brings out the best in us.”
NOTES: WRs Rashee Rice (knee) and Cyrus Allen (bone bruise) both participated in 11-on-11 work during the padded practice. ... DE Ashton Gillotte (hamstring), CB L'Jarius Snead (knee) and LB Drue Tranquill (back) worked off to the side. ... RG Trey Smith (hip) was still out of practice, pushing rookie OL Khalil Benson from tackle to guard. Jaylon Moore took first-team reps at tackle.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Fans arrive for the Kansas City Chiefs' NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid watches during NFL football training camp Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026, in St. Joseph, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
FILE - Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy watches from the sidelines during an NFL football game, Oct. 1, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
