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Super Rugby club emerges as shock contender to sign Fijian lock Leone Nakarawa following sacking from Racing 92
By Online Editors
The Waratahs have emerged as shock contenders to sign star lock Leone Nakarawa following the Fijian's sacking from Top 14 club Racing 92.
Nakarawa was fired from the Paris-based club on Friday after returning two weeks late from the World Cup in Japan as he had returned to Fiji to help construct a new family home following his country’s pool stage elimination in October.
An attendee of three World Cups and a member of Fiji's Olympic gold medal-winning sevens side of 2016, Nakarawa is widely regarded as one of the world's premier second-rowers.
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Subsequently, his newfound free agency has reportedly made him a target for numerous clubs in England and Scotland, but media reports in France have also included the Waratahs as a potential new destination for the 31-year-old.
Rugby.com.au is also reporting that the New South Wales Super Rugby side have made contact with the Fijian's management team about the possibility of bringing the move to fruition.
The Waratahs would not be able to match the significant financial sums that will inevitably be thrown Nakarawa's way by European clubs, but it is believed that the 62-cap international is interested in testing himself in Super Rugby - a competition of which he has never played in.
Also working in the Waratahs' favour is that there is a favourable window whereby Nakarawa could play for one season in Australia next year before returning to the northern hemisphere in August ahead of the 2020-21 domestic season.
" the club said in a statement.
“Nakarara, moreover, refused to answer the messages that the club addressed to him after having noted his unjustified absence and was willing to fix the date of his return.
“His abandonment of his post for more than two weeks has been a serious prejudice to Racing… moreover, it is a deplorable example for Racing players as his title of best player in the 2018 European Cup should have encouraged him to be exemplary.
“At Racing, the only star is the team and the individualistic attitude of Nakarawa is inconceivable. It indicates a total lack of team spirit and a characterised insubordination. In the interests of preserving the institution of Racing, this decision of rupture was imperative.”
The move to axe the 1.98m, 109kg lock means Racing are now short on second-row options, with only 35-year-old Irish international Donnacha Ryan, former All Black Dominic Bird and young Frenchman Boris Palu, as well as French international Bernard Le Roux, who usually plays in the back row, remaining at the club.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Ireland are loving the favorites tag. That can only help the underdog ABs. I do expect it will be tough for the men in black though especially without a couple of crucial players. But only a fool writes off an All Black team so we are in with a chance.
Go to commentsAgreed.
The childish and embarrasing patting on the back , shouting, the 3,qs running 20 yards to slap the forwards backs is pathetic.
It just show reverence to the better team and a minor success worth shouting about.
If a top, top coach was in charge of England he would put a stop to it ,
Unfortunately , we have Borthwick .
No ones idea of a top coach and no CV to prove it.
He can't even see when his players are on top.
To even think Ford was up to playing against the AB,s shows favouritism gone mad.
Ford was more than rusty.
He wasn't up to the job.
He has now only played another 17 minutes rugby this season and the utterly shambolic effort he gave means he should be sent back to Sale to get some game time and ruddy backbone .
It wasn't though he was up against a flying wing forward like Marcus was when he pulled down Sititi In full flight.
It was one of the smallest guys on the pitch . Pathetic.
At international level to say he can't tackle cuts no ice. Not these days
He doesn't have Owen to cover for him . And it is showing.
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