CLASHING COUSINS
Fiji’s Nadolo set for battle with Aussie Kuridrani
CARDiFF’S Millennium Stadium is a long way from the Fijian beach where Tevita Kuridrani and nemani nadolo used to tackle each other during the summer holidays.
Tonight the two cousins will renew their rivalry, with Kuridrani representing australia and nadolo representing Fiji in Pool a’s Southern hemisphere match-up.
With a combined weight of 36 stones, the giant backs have the potential to create huge collisions as the Wallabies plot to get their campaign off to a winning start against the Pacific islanders.
‘i used to go back to Nama-takula in Fiji during the holidays and we would play together on the beach,’ said Kuridrani.
‘We were very young but we had a lot of fun. he was always the big one and we never imagined this. i had a couple of chats with nemani (right) last week and all the family back home are really proud to see us here.’
australia legend Lote Tuqiri is another cousin in the family of thoroughbred rugby blood. Tuqiri played in the same national side as 102-cap no 10 Stephen Larkham, who is now the attack coach responsible for unleashing Kuridrani’s physical assets through the centres.
‘he’s a big ball-carrier with big defence, which is what you want from a no 13,’ said Larkham. ‘it’s quite a difficult position to defend at but he seems to read it really well and has the ability to square up to the line in attack.’ The selection committee have named two openside flankers in their back row, with Michael hooper at no 7 and David Pocock moving to no 8. They used the same combination in their rugby Championship victory over new Zealand, but Larkham insists they have not yet decided on using the same strategy against england or Wales.
‘They’re two relatively short back-rowers which can impact your line-out, but we feel like we’ve got coverage there,’ said Larkham.
‘We get the benefit of them on the ball and around the paddock. Michael hooper is superb, particularly in attack, and David Pocock is superb, particularly at the breakdown, so it gives us good balance in this game.’
The Wallabies arrived in Cardiff yesterday for the captain’s run, and for Larkham it brought back special memories of his Millennium Stadium victory over France in the 1999 World Cup final.
‘Personally, it was a good feeling coming into the stadium on the bus and going into the changing room,’ said Larkham.
‘it’s changed a little bit now, but it brought back a few feelings.’