All Blacks center Ma'a Nonu has been told he will not be offered a new contract by the Wellington Hurricanes at the end of the Super 15 rugby season. Nonu, who has played 104 Super rugby matches and is regarded as one of the best centers in the world, is seen as the first victim of an expected purge of senior players by first-season coach Mark Hammett.

Hammett has coached the Hurricanes to one of their worst season records: they have won only five of 14 matches and lie ninth on the table with two rounds remaining. Senior players, including Hurricanes captain and All Blacks hooker Andrew Hore, reportedly have reservations about Hammett's coaching style and several more may be let go to suppress dissent.