Sympathetic Nonu refuses to put the boot in

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SOCKING IT TO THE BOKS: Ma'a Nonu is one boot down as he makes a break which led to Israel Dagg scoring the winning try against the Springboks in their Tri-Nations match last month.

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Cinderella's footwear fairytale had a happy ending, but All Blacks second-five Ma'a Nonu has revealed a more serious side to the story of his famous bootless run in Soweto.

Nonu has been silent since the match-deciding line break that left South Africa skipper John Smit holding Nonu's boot in despair.

But Nonu yesterday revealed he had played down the incident out of respect for Smit who had been playing his 100th test for the Springboks.

"A lot of people when I got home talked about it. I'm one of those guys who wanted to forget about it. It was good in one way, but sad in another way," he said. "If I was on the receiving end of that I know how it would feel. Being footy players what happens on the field stays on the field."

Nonu said he had received numerous requests for the boots he had worn during the All Blacks' 29-22 win, but had turned them down.

"It's upstairs in my room. I hope to wear them on the weekend," he said. "A lot of people have asked for it, you never know, I might give it away."

He had only realised he had lost his boot after he had passed the ball to replacement wing Israel Dagg, who ran in for the try to break a 22-22 deadlock.

Nonu was surprised to discover his adidas exactly where he had made his break.

"Normally when you lose your boot someone on the opposition chucks it away, so I was thinking someone had chucked it into the crowd. I was like `Where's my boot?', but it was just sitting on halfway."

Nonu plans to tie his laces tighter this weekend, but All Blacks fans will have no complaints if the Wallabies want to try their luck with the famous right boot during the match.

If it doesn't fit of course, history suggests they, like Smit, could turn into the rugby equivalent of a pumpkin.

- © Fairfax NZ News