HE is the man most likely to break Wallabies hearts in the World Cup final, but Australia’s rival code could have prevented Ma’a Nonu from lining up in the decider by signing him up to the NRL.

Nonu is a massive league fan and visited the Bulldogs — his favourite team — in 2012 to consider a code-switch. As our photo shows, he spent time with then Bulldogs star Ben Barba and mulled a move across the Tasman before the NZRU trumped up their offer by allowing Nonu to have a lucrative stint in Japan in his off-season.

Nonu very nearly joined the NRL in 2008 after he was left out of the All Blacks’ 07 World Cup squad, and was convinced by Benji Marshall and Tim Sheens to join Wests Tigers.

The All Blacks centre told his agent to sign the deal with the Tigers, only to be told to take a week to consider his decision and then change his mind.

Nonu’s value to the All Blacks is evident by him keeping former NRL star Sonny Bill Williams on the bench.

Earlier this year, Nonu was rested against the Wallabies and Australia won 27-19. The next week, he started at Eden Park, and the All Blacks towelled up the Wallabies 41-13 with Nonu scoring two tries in a man-of-the-match performance.

A ROCKING COINCIDENCE?

media_camera AC/DC is fuelling the Wallabies!

THE Wallabies have embraced AC/DC as their official band of choice at the Rugby World Cup, playing Thunderstruck on a speaker at Twickenham at every captains’ run.

It has been enough to have the RFU blazers spluttering into their English breakfast tea and occasionally dropping a cucumber sandwich.

But the people who should really be worried about the AC/DC connection to the Wallabies are the Kiwis.

Strap yourself in readers: it’s omen bet time.

The last time the Wallabies played — and won — a Rugby World Cup at Twickenham in 1991, the legendary Aussie rock band played gigs in the Sydney the following week.

This weekend the Wallabies play another World Cup final at Twickenham.

Guess who starts their Australian tour in Sydney next week?

LISTEN: Iain Payten and Mike Colman preview the Rugby World Cup final

GOOD VIBES AND ARROGANCE

FROM the “​Y​ou ​Tell ​Them Eddie files”. This from Eddie Jones in his always entertaining column in the Daily Mail: “The All Blacks rely heavily on their experience, but Australia have the good vibes and the confidence.

They have a bit of arrogance back, which comes through the personality of Michael Cheika. It’s the same psyche for Australian cricket and rugby league — arrogance isn’t a bad thing.”

A EUROPEAN VILLAIN

THERE were some strong comments this week advocating for teams like Georgia and Romania to be given a shot at playing in the Six Nations with a relegation playoff game. The calls came from Rugby Europe president Octavian Morariu. In other news, James Bond producers said they’ve called off the search for the villain for their next movie.

Speaking of Bond — did we mention we love a good omen bet? — the last James Bond film Skyfall was released when the Wallabies were in town in October 2012. They beat England at Twickenham that weekend. The premiere of Spectre occurred in London this week.

#GETYOURGOLDON

WALLABIES supporters, it’s time to show your true colours.

FoxSports is running a campaign called #GetYourGoldOn ahead of the World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand. Upload a picture or video message to social media wearing gold with the hashtag #GetYourGoldOn to join in.

Already there have been submissions from Tim Cahill, Mitchell Johnson, Cameron Smith and former PM John Howard.