Giant Fijian Nadolo comes to defence of Tui on Twitter in wake of scrap with fan
Giant Fijian Nemani Nadolo has come to the defence of Wallaby forward Lukhan Tui who was involved in a scrap following his side's loss to Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Television footage showed a supporter trying to grapple with Tui after Australia had fallen to a 23-19 defeat at home on Saturday to the Pumas.
Another spectator eventually dragged the irate fan away from Tui, but it marred another disappointing performance from the Wallabies.
Australia’s players wore black armbands for the match in memory of Tui’s stepfather, who died earlier in the week, and Cheika explained his player became involved in the scuffle after the supporter knocked over the 21-year-old’s sister.
Nadolo described those giving Tui a hard time as 'muppets' and pointed out that playing in the circumstances at all spoke 'volumes' for his character.
"Everyone giving Lukan Tui a hard time. You muppets need to realise he lost his old man a few days before.. the fact he played and did his best under pressure for the Wallabies. It speaks volume of his character...they lost so what!"
Queensland Reds fullback Karmichael Hunt also offered his support.
"My guy here is a super kid, does all that he can for his family, friends and teammates. I’m proud of him for playing tonight, I’m sure it would have been tough after the week he has had."
Embattled Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also came to the defence of the big forward in the post-match press conference.
“It’s one thing being upset with a team but I think what went down there was the supporter pushed Lukhan’s sister,” Cheika said in quotes published on rugby.com.au.
“Obviously that family has had a very big week and I don’t think it’s appropriate that happened.
“I get the discontent and you own that. Words, abuse, it comes sometimes and you have to suck it up when you don’t play well.
“He pushed the younger sister and Lukhan didn’t like that and that’s fair enough considering everything that has happened to him this week.
“It got to the point where the player just said in the dressing room he’s not going to be playing anymore – because of that incident.
“So I hope the fan is happy.”
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The match experience still sucks at SR games, irrespective of the game being a little quicker. Rugby has to compete with so much in the modern world, if you’re going to get people to leave their houses and pay to watch a game in winter then the experience has to be worthwhile.
Go to commentsIt’s a good, timely wake up call for NZ Rugby (seem to be a few of them lately!) - sort out the bureaucratic nonsense at board level. We can’t expect to stay the number one option without keeping fans/players engaged. We’ve obviously been bleeding players to league for years but can’t let the floodgates open (although I think this headline is hyperbolic as it’s a result of a recent Warriors pathways system where they are tracking things more closely) Understand the need to focus boys on rugby if they’re at a proud rugby school too, don’t think it’s harsh at all re Barakat in Hamilton. Reward the committed players with squad positions. An elite 1st XV system in NZ has done more for league than they even realise, think it’s good to protect our game further.
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