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Leone Nakarawa is potentially facing the sack at Racing 92
By Liam Heagney
Leone Nakarawa is reportedly facing the sack after failing to report for duty last week with Racing 92. The 31-year-old Fijian last played at the World Cup on October 9 in the 29-17 defeat to Wales in Oita.
After winning his 61st Test cap, he was given 15 days mandatory vacation following the elimination of the Flying Fijians from the tournament.
He was meant to report back to his club in France last week but Midi Olympique have reported that the coveted second row is still in Fiji and allegedly has not been in contact with his club for a number of weeks.
The French rugby newspaper further reports that the player was expected back to prepare for a key part of struggling Racing’s season.
Beaten five times in eight Top 14 outings, they are adrift in 13th spot in the league table ahead of next Sunday’s derby versus Stade Francais and the start of a European campaign which opens at home against defending champions Saracens on November 17.
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Laurent Travers and his staff wanted to call on the player who is described as one of the best second rows in the world, a lock who is apparently earning the second-biggest salary at the club behind Scotland’s Finn Russell.
So annoyed are Racing that they are said to be considering opening a disciplinary procedure against Nakarawa that could range from a warning to a sanction or to something more serious, the potential of dismissal for serious misconduct. Midi reports that this third option is being taken very seriously.
Nakarawa’s failure to check back into at Racing’s training ground isn’t the only post-World Cup problem the Parisians have encountered.
Prop Ben Tameifuna reported back for duty overweight at 160kgs and has been told he will not be selected yo play until he gets his weight back to the 140kgs he was at when he left for World Cup duty with Tonga in Japan.
WATCH: Finn Russell gives Jim Hamilton a kicking masterclass at Racing's training ground in Paris
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Latest Comments
Don't think you've watched enough. I'll take him over anything I's seen so far. But let's see how the future pans out. I'm quietly confident we have a row of 10's lined uo who would each start in many really good teams.
Go to commentsHopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
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