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Australian teams eager to bring Nemani Nadolo back to Super Rugby Pacific
By Sam Smith
Two Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises have signalled an interest in bringing Fijian star Nemani Nadolo back to the competition.
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It’s been six years since Nadolo last terrorised Super Rugby defences during his three-season spell with the Crusaders between 2014 and 2016, during which time he scored 27 tries in 39 matches.
Now with English outfit Leicester Tigers, the 34-year-old wing – who stands at 1.95m and 138kg – is in the sights of the Waratahs and Reds, with both clubs confirming their interest in bringing Nadolo back to the southern hemisphere.
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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Queensland Rugby Union professional rugby general manager Sam Cordingley said he has been in contact with Nadolo, who was raised in Brisbane after moving from Fiji as a baby.
“You would look at the experience of a guy like Nemani, the leadership he would offer among our Pasifika group, he’s a Queenslander originally, and he’s playing some good footy,” Cordingley told the Sydney Morning Herald.
“It will come down to a few factors … but we are certainly in the conversation with him.”
Likewise, the Waratahs confirmed their interest in bringing Nadolo back to New South Wales following his fruitless two-year spell with the Sydney-based franchise between 2009 and 2010.
Waratahs general manager Andrew Blades told the Sydney Morning Herald that while the franchise is yet to make contact with Nadolo, they would consider re-signing the 32-test Fijian international.
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“You see someone like that who scores a lot of tries and has a physical profile that’s a little bit different, a bit in the vein of [ex-Waratahs and Wallabies wing] Taqele Naiyarovoro, and that could add something to your roster,” Blades said.
Nadolo has found himself in fine form in Premiership in recent times, bagging a brace of tries for Leicester in their 47-28 win over London Irish over the weekend to put the league leaders 12 points clear at the top of the table.
