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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
It’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
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