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Nemani Nadolo announces retirement from international rugby

(Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)

Fiji and Montpellier star, Nemani Nadolo, has announced his retirement from international rugby at the age of 30.

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The 6ft 4, 137 kg winger has decided to hang up his international boots ahead of the Rugby World Cup, having amassed 30 caps and 19 tries for his country, including a memorable try against England in the Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Using social media to announce his retirement, Nadolo cited challenges both on and off the field over the past 18 months and explained it was a move that was right for him and his family.

His full statement reads:

‘I thought I’d be the first to let you all know that I’ve called it a day playing for my beloved country Fiji.

First and foremost I want to thank the almighty for without him I believe I would never have gotten this far. The moment I debuted as a “caretaker” of the jersey back in 2010 I would have never thought I’d have played for this long and represented the tiny island of Fiji.

I want to thank all the coaches, trainers, physios and people I have come in contact with during my time as a “caretaker” of the jersey. To all the past and present players whom i’ve had the honour of playing along side with I want to say big VINAKA..

Most of all to the PEOPLE of Fiji both in Fiji and abroad I just want to let you all know that it’s been a pleasure to have represented you all over the years. I believe this team belongs to the people of fiji and it’s because of you we find the motivation to play everytime we get the opportunity and for that, I hope I haven’t let you guys down.

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With the depth and current crop of outside backs coming through I have no doubt that the next “caretakers” of the jersey will do a better job.

I’ve faced a few challenges over the last 18 month’s both on and off the field. After speaking to my partner @kimstyleme for a long period of time about this, I felt it was the right decision for me and my family moving forward. I still have a lot to prove and I look forward to doing that with my club @MHR ..

I wish the coaches and the current squad all the best for the future and have no doubt they will do well!.. #vinaka #veilomani 

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cw 6 hours ago
The coaching conundrum part one: Is there a crisis Down Under?

Thanks JW for clarifying your point and totally agree. The ABs are still trying to find their mojo” - that spark of power that binds and defines them. Man the Boks certainly found theirs in Wellington! But I think it cannot be far off for ABs - my comment about two coaches was a bit glib. The key point for me is that they need first a coach or coaches that can unlock that power and for me that starts at getting the set piece right and especially the scrum and second a coach that can simplify the game plans. I am fortified in this view by NBs comment that most of the ABs tries come from the scrum or lineout - this is the structured power game we have been seeing all year. But it cannot work while the scrum is backpeddling. That has to be fixed ASAP if Robertson is going to stick to this formula. I also think it is too late in the cycle to reverse course and revert to a game based on speed and continuity. The second is just as important - keep it simple! Complex movements that require 196 cm 144 kg props to run around like 95kg flankers is never going to work over a sustained period. The 2024 Blues showed what a powerful yet simple formula can do. The 2025 Blues, with Beauden at 10 tried to be more expansive / complicated - and struggled for most of the season.

I also think that the split bench needs to reflect the game they “want” to play not follow some rote formula. For example the ABs impact bench has the biggest front row in the World with two props 195cm / 140 kg plus. But that bulk cannot succeed without the right power based second row (7, 4, 5, 6). That bulk becomes a disadvantage if they don’t have a rock solid base behind them - as both Boks showed at Eden Park and the English in London. Fresh powerful legs need to come on with them - thats why we need a 6-2 bench. And teams with this split can have players focused only on 40 minutes max of super high intensity play. Hence Robertson needs to design his team to accord with these basic physics.



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