Veteran All Blacks centre back Ma’a Nonu will play for Toulon after next year’s World Cup, the French club has announced.

Nonu, 32, signed a two-year deal with the European champions, making him the second long-serving New Zealand Test player this week to announce his departure in 2016.

Five-eighth Dan Carter will leave for Racing Metro after the World Cup, where he may well lock horns with 94-Test powerhouse Nonu.

Toulon boss Mourad Boudjellal said former All Blacks captain Tana Umaga’s strong connection with the club – where he was a player and coach – played a part in Nonu’s decision.

It is also the club where another high-profile All Blacks inside centre – Sonny Bill Williams – first played professional rugby, in 2008.

“It was a wish of ours because Toulon really took off with Tana Umaga,” Boudjellal said on the club website.

“Nonu is a great centre with a good mouth on him and that is something we like at Toulon.”

Nonu’s Test career, which began in 2003, stalled this year when a broken arm sidelined him midway through the season.

He has signed a one-season contract with the Hurricanes this year, returning to his original Super Rugby team after stints at the Blues and Highlanders.

Meanwhile, Clermont’s Fijian winger Napolioni Nalaga has also joined Toulon while former Italy and Stade Francais five-eighth Diego Dominguez will take over the head coaching role from Bernard Laporte in 2016.