Nemani Nadolo
New Zealand’s Super Rugby franchise the Crusaders have confirmed that Fijian Rugby World Cup winger Nemani Nadolo will not be extending his contract with the Christchurch team next season.
Nadolo has agreed to play his rugby in France for French club Montpellier after the 2016 Super Rugby season.
Fijian winger Nadolo was raised in Brisbane Australia and has had playing stints in the UK, France, Australia and Japan but his career only really took off when he joined the Crusaders.
Nadolo is now 1 of the hottest wingers in World Rugby but it was not long ago that he was with the Waratahs and was unable to make the match day team.
The winger left Sydney and played for Bourgoin between 2010 and 2011 before joining Japan’s NEC Green Rocket where he was brought to the attention of Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder.
Nadolo finished the 2014 season as Super Rugby’s top try scorer, with Israel Folau and in 2015 he finished 3rd on 9 tries for the season.
The Fijian Rugby World Cup winger was also part of the Barbarians side that lost to Argentina at Twickenham 2 weeks ago and on his return he told Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach that he will not be extending his contract after next August.
Nadolo has praised the Crusaders for providing the opportunity to finally play Super Rugby and for shaping him into the player he has become.
“I was playing in Japan and I thought that was it for me. The faith these guys showed in me is something I’ll always be thankful for.
“They kick-started my career, they’ve given me the passion and love for the game again. They’ve pretty much moulded me into the player I am today,” he said.
Riach said that he understood why Nadolo had signed a 3-year deal with Montpellier.
“There was an opportunity here and Nemani seized it. He’s got the rewards for that and it’s just really nice for us to be part of it,” said Riach.
“It was clear that’s where the next phase of his career is going to be. We wish him all the very best with it. We’re delighted he chose to spend 3 years of his rugby life in Christchurch.”
Riach admitted that the Crusaders would find it difficult to find a replacement with Nadolo’s strengths and skill set.
“He will be a difficult man to replace but that’s our job. He’s a unique man with the size, the agility, the speed and power”.
rugbyweek