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Ma'a Nonu - Source: Photosport -
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It could be week five before Blues fans get the chance to see star recruit Ma'a Nonu turn out for his new team at home.
Unlike other World Cup-winning All Blacks who took an extended rest after their tournament exploits, Nonu dipped his dreads in the lucrative Japanese market, where he's been in blockbusting form for the Ricoh Black Rams in the Top League.
The move is similar to the sabbatical granted to Dan Carter, who played for French club Perpignan in 2008, and the blessing given to Sony Bill Williams' fleeting boxing career.
Exemptions are increasingly popular for high-profile New Zealand rugby players.
Nonu's late arrival in Auckland is dependent on whether his Japanese club makes the playoffs.
But he is likely to miss the entire pre-season and will therefore need time to adopt the systems, patterns and style of his new team.
Blues coach Pat Lam has plentiful options in the midfield and is in no rush to fast-track Nonu's anticipated franchise debut.
Benson Stanley, Rene Ranger, Michael Hobbs or Isaia Toeava are all quality cover for the world-class second five-eighths in the first two matches.
Lam is in regular contact with Nonu, tracking his fitness.
But assessing what mental and physical state he will arrive in is very much a guessing game.
There are concerns that having not taken a post-World Cup layoff, the 29-year-old could suffer fatigue mid-season, given he faces 19 months of continuous action.
"It's a big jump in standards from the World Cup to Japan and back to Super Rugby," Lam told Sunday News.
The Blues open their season against the Crusaders in Auckland and then meet the Chiefs in Hamilton.
Lam believes he could be without Nonu for both those fixtures, with his debut in blue likely to come in South Africa.
That would see Nonu make his first home appearance against the Hurricanes, where he was let go last year after personality clashes with Mark Hammett, in round five at Eden Park.
"He could miss the first two games but will definitely join us to South Africa," Lam revealed.
"That is ideal, to go on tour with the boys. I can't just throw him out there. We are prepared for that."
Lam also downplayed fears Nonu would not fit into the Blues' environment.
On the basis of strong relationships with senior All Blacks in the franchise, Lam expected him to have the desired impact.
"Ma'a, although he was forced out [of the Hurricanes], had plenty of choices but he contacted us. That gives us a lot of satisfaction.
"He wants to do a job here. It's not like we went after him," he said.
"He needed a change. He wants to win a championship, be successful, and he feels this is the team to do it with."
