Nadolo hits back at Lam’s attack on Fiji

FIJI winger Nemani Nadolo has defended his national team following criticism labelled at them by Pat Lam, writes Bobby Bridge.

The Bristol Bears director of rugby lodged an official complaint with World Rugby, claiming superstar centre Semi Radradra was mishandled after suffering a dead leg early into their 45-10 victory over Georgia.

Radradra played the full 80 minutes and will now miss two to three weeks of action.

Without him, Bristol were defeated 51-38 at home by Clermon Auvergne in the Champions Cup on Saturday.

Lam told the Bristol Post: “What is disappointing about it is Fiji had that game won early, also I have no doubt in my mind, because Semi told the medical team at half-time he was struggling, that if Fiji had been playing another game this week he would have been taken off to be able to play in that game.

“He is a big player for us, a lot of time and resources goes into him and other players here, we will put a formal complaint to World Rugby.”

Radradra’s fellow countryman Nadolo scored a hat-trick in the Murrayfield encounter on the occasion of his return from international retirement.

The powerful winger took to his personal Twitter account to share his thoughts on the situation and comments made by former Samoa forward Lam.

He said: “I respect Pat Lam But if your gonna come out n say @ fijirugby management mistreated Semi than make sure u get the facts right. don’t portray Fiji rugby as da criminals because your annoyed your golden carrot couldn’t play today. I was actually sitting next 2 him when it went down.”

Nadolo play his first Leicester Tigers game of the new season on Friday night and scored a late try that secured his side a bonus point win over Brive at Welford Road.