Nadolo Recaps Incredible Life in Rugby
Having my mum in the crowd, has been the highlight of my career says Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo in an interview with World Rugby on Wednesday.
Nadolo, 34, migrated to Australia with his parents when he was three months.
“I am originally from Namatakula (Nadroga), a village in Fiji renowned for producing some players who have gone to do wonderful things for the sport,” Nadolo said. “I did not play representative rugby in high school because there were a lot of gifted players around. “I was picked up while playing sevens in Darwin when I was 18. “I joined the New South Wales Waratahs in 2008 but was just a passenger in the side.
“I was happy lucky to be there. Their perception about me was I was not quick enough and did not have the stuff to make the team in the Super Rugby competition.” He then played around the world in France, Japan and England. The Fijian and Australian rugby player then joined the New Zealand Crusaders which he described a priviledge to be part of. “I remember my first day, I was really anxious, it was crazy – here I was meeting players I would watch on TV.
“The aura they possess. I was like a little kid; I remember I was nervous meeting Richie McCaw.” Nadolo represented Fiji in the 2015 World Cup and scored the captivating try in their opener against England.
His most memorable moment was when he was playing for Leicester
Tigers; his mum flew over from Brisbane (Australia) to watch him. She was seated behind the goal post and every time Nadolo scored he would point to where she was seating.
“It was quite emotional having my mum in the crowd; it was her first time in that part of the world. “It outweighs all the good memories I have had in my rugby playing career.”
Nadolo now returns for a oneyear deal for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with Waratahs which he is expected to add a wealth of knowledge, size, and experience to their backline.
The big ball-carrying winger made his Test debut for Fiji in 2010, where Waratahs head coach Darren Coleman was the assistant coach, against Australia.
He has scored 22 tries in 32 Tests and starred for the Flying Fijians in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Nadolo was one of the standout players for the Crusaders in 2014, ending the season as the competition’s equal leading try-scorer with 12 tries, including scoring in their Super Rugby final loss to the Waratahs.
He’s motivated to get another crack at Super Rugby and push his claims to get in the Fijian Test team for their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.
Nadolo returns for a one-year deal for the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season with Waratahs .