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Australian teams eager to bring Nemani Nadolo back to Super Rugby Pacific

(Photo by Stephen White - CameraSport via Getty Images)

Two Australian Super Rugby Pacific franchises have signalled an interest in bringing Fijian star Nemani Nadolo back to the competition.

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It’s been six years since Nadolo last terrorised Super Rugby defences during his three-season spell with the Crusaders between 2014 and 2016, during which time he scored 27 tries in 39 matches.

Now with English outfit Leicester Tigers, the 34-year-old wing – who stands at 1.95m and 138kg – is in the sights of the Waratahs and Reds, with both clubs confirming their interest in bringing Nadolo back to the southern hemisphere.

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Speaking to the Sydney Morning Herald, Queensland Rugby Union professional rugby general manager Sam Cordingley said he has been in contact with Nadolo, who was raised in Brisbane after moving from Fiji as a baby.

“You would look at the experience of a guy like Nemani, the leadership he would offer among our Pasifika group, he’s a Queenslander originally, and he’s playing some good footy,” Cordingley told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“It will come down to a few factors … but we are certainly in the conversation with him.”

Likewise, the Waratahs confirmed their interest in bringing Nadolo back to New South Wales following his fruitless two-year spell with the Sydney-based franchise between 2009 and 2010.

Waratahs general manager Andrew Blades told the Sydney Morning Herald that while the franchise is yet to make contact with Nadolo, they would consider re-signing the 32-test Fijian international.

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“You see someone like that who scores a lot of tries and has a physical profile that’s a little bit different, a bit in the vein of [ex-Waratahs and Wallabies wing] Taqele Naiyarovoro, and that could add something to your roster,” Blades said.

Nadolo has found himself in fine form in Premiership in recent times, bagging a brace of tries for Leicester in their 47-28 win over London Irish over the weekend to put the league leaders 12 points clear at the top of the table.

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isaac 965 days ago

I'd rather thr aussies get back naiyaravoro who could add to the australian test side as well

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

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CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


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The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


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It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

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