Nemani Nadolo
Nemani Nadolo will remain at the Crusaders for two more years, after reports in New Zealand said the giant Fijian winger “never had any intention of going anywhere else”.
“We have loved having Nemani in the Crusaders this season, as have our fans, so it gives me great pleasure to confirm that he will be returning to the team next year and in 2016,” Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said.
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“Nemani will return now to his NEC Green Rockets team in Japan and play out the season with them before joining the Crusaders in 2015. We are grateful to NEC for their co-operation and support in allowing Nemani to commit to the Crusaders, and we look forward to continuing to work with them.”
Nadolo played a feature role in the Crusaders’ run to the Super Rugby grand final against the Waratahs, scoring 11 tries in 13 games before crossing the stripe once again in the decider to stand alongside Israel Folau as the leading try-scorer in the competition, and he has described his season in Christchurch as “the best six months of my life”.
Crusaders fans had been nervous, fearing Nadolo would wish to return to his former home town of Brisbane given that he previously left New South Wales Waratahs to play in France and England before moving to play for Japanese Top League club NEC Green Rockets.
The fans noted, too, Nadolo’s continued family ties in Brisbane, where his younger brother Chris Kuridrani is pushing for a new Super Rugby contract with Queensland Reds having played five minutes off the bench in their final match of the season, against the Waratahs, and joining Brisbane City in Australia’s inaugural National Rugby Championship.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder said Nadolo had become a core figure in the Crusaders in his first season, and had a lot more to contribute.
“Nemani has fitted so well into our environment,” Blackadder said. “He is much loved by his team-mates and by our fans so we are thrilled that we will all be able to enjoy more of the big man next year. The skills and presence that Nemani brings to this team are immense.”
“He has been a vital part of our successes this year and the growth that we saw from when he joined the team to the end of this season is just an indication of how much more he has to give. We are honoured to have the opportunity to continue working with such a talented and exciting player and to help him to be the very best player he can be.”
Nadolo said he had enjoyed one of the most enjoyable periods in his playing career with the Crusaders, and he could not wait to continue in 2015.
“The Crusaders are a team I have always looked up to and I feel blessed to have been welcomed into this team,” Nadolo said. “I have loved playing here this season and I am grateful for all I have learned, the progress I’ve made, and the friendships I’ve formed. I can’t wait to come back next year and help this team take it even further in 2015.”
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Sonny Bill Williams has eyes on World Cup spot
Sonny Bill Williams
Dual international Sonny Bill Williams already has his eyes set on the All Blacks’ defence of their Rugby World Cup title next year as his days in rugby league near an end.
The Sydney Roosters back-rower is sidelined with a thumb injury for the next fortnight and has only a handful of games left in the NRL as he chases back-to-back titles for the Tricolours.
AAP
Then he returns his focus to rugby, where he won the Super Rugby title with the Chiefs and was a part of New Zealand’s RWC-winning side in 2011.
Williams, 29, has rarely fronted the media this season but was a guest host on Channel Nine’s Footy Show on Thursday night.
“The World Cup is coming up and I want to be a part of that,” Williams said.
“That (returning to rugby) is the first step towards that goal but I’m definitely enjoying my time here.”
Williams did not touch on speculation he could be included on the All Blacks’ spring tour to Europe when his commitments with the Roosters end in order to fast track his return to the 15-a-side game.
Until then, he is committed to the Roosters’ premiership cause.
“I am really enjoying playing and training with those boys, they have become like brothers,” he said.
“Coming back (to the NRL) has been about getting respect back and I think I have done that.”
“The game has really helped me become the man I am not just on the field but off it.”