Could Ma'a Nonu be joining the Chiefs next season after leaving French club Toulon?

Chiefs coach Colin Cooper will neither confirm or deny that his team are working to secure the services of former All Blacks midfielder Ma'a Nonu.

Nonu left Toulon after three seasons in France for family reasons in May and the Hurricanes have already ruled out signing their former star, who made 126 appearances for the Wellington-based team.

Speaking at Thursday's captain's run in Hamilton ahead of the Chiefs' quarterfinal against the Hurricanes in the capital, Cooper left the door open for the 36-year-old to potentially play for his fourth Kiwi team in Super Rugby.

"No, we haven't talked about that," Cooper said when asked about Nonu.

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GETTY IMAGES Nonu last played for the Hurricanes in 2015 before his departure for France after the World Cup that year.

"Our whole focus is this quarter-final, and those sort of discussions don't come into it. That's the conservativeness in me, it's week by week, don't lose your focus, bring it all this Friday night."

STUFF John Plumtree has already ruled out Nonu returning to the Hurricanes.

When probed again, Cooper said: "I'm just saying we haven't been discussing it. I'm not saying no or yes."

Nonu, who played 103 tests for the All Blacks from 2003-15, was with the Hurricanes from 2003-11. He spent a season with the Highlanders in 2013 in between two stints with the Blues in 2012 and 2014, but returned to the Canes for his last Super Rugby season before leaving for France after the 2015 World Cup.

Cooper watched over Nonu during his tenure as Hurricanes coach from 2003-10.

GETTY IMAGES Nonu scoring in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final when the All Blacks beat Australia 34-17 at Twickenham.

In 2011, Nonu was rumoured to be signing for the Chiefs after the Hurricanes told him he would not be offered a contract for 2012, but he joined the Blues instead.

The Chiefs are looking for midfield options for 2019 due to the impending departures of Johnny Fa'auli, Charlie Ngatai and Tim Nanai-Williams.

​Nonu's last All Blacks appearance came in the 2015 World Cup final and he scored a try in the 34-17 triumph over Australia at Twickenham.

He then joined Toulon on a lucrative three-year contract but he announced in May via Instagram that he was taking a step back from rugby to assess his future.