Ma'a Nonu on lookout for new Super Rugby team after Highlanders say no to

HURRICANES captain Conrad Smith admits Ma'a Nonu has some work to do if he wants to return to the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise.

Ma'a Nonu

HURRICANES captain Conrad Smith admits All Blacks teammate Ma'a Nonu has some work to do if he wants to return to the Wellington-based Super Rugby franchise next season.

Nonu is without a Super Rugby team after the Highlanders confirmed they won't offer the game-breaking All Black a contract.

His playing future has become increasingly murky following successive lacklustre one-season campaigns - with the Blues in 2012 and Highlanders in 2013.

Nonu left the Hurricanes under a cloud in 2011 following a clash with new coach Mark Hammett, who set about changing elements of the Hurricanes' culture.

Speaking as the All Blacks assembled for a two-day camp on Wednesday, Smith told media there was still work to be done if Nonu wanted to slot back into the Hurricanes' line-up.

``That's obviously why it's taken as long as it has, there's a bit to go through,'' he said.

``I don't know where it's going to end up - I think there'd have to be a bit of shifting on his account.''

Smith said he'd first been asked about Nonu's return to the Hurricanes about a month ago.

``I just said in terms of playing, I'd love to have him there.

``But I appreciate there's a bigger picture and a lot of other things to go through.''

Smith said Hurricanes coach Mark Hammett had told him Nonu had approached the franchise.

``The issue hadn't come to a head at that stage, but they'd obviously been sounded out and he just sort of wanted to get my opinion. It was literally a two-minute conversation.''