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Explained: What seduced Castres into signing 'unemployed' Nakarawa

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Beaten Top 14 finalists Castres have explained why they have gambled on signing Leone Nakarawa, the Fijian forward whose career has been on a downward spiral since falling out with Racing following the 2019 World Cup in Japan. At the time, the now 34-year-old was one of the stars of the world game due to his brilliant offloading and his athleticism, a reputation honed at the title-winning Glasgow before he switched to Paris in 2016.

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However, relations soured at the Top 14 club with his delayed return following the World Cup in the Far East and it was December 2019 when they fired him. “After a few days of thinking about the legal deadlines, Jacky Lorenzetti has decided to break Nakarawa’s contract,” read a statement.

“This decision, taken in consultation with the sporting director of the club, follows on from the proven disciplinary manoeuvres of Nakarawa who, in particular, did not show up at the resumption of the training programme on October 28.”

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That left Nakarawa trying to relaunch his career back in the old PRO14. He got going at Glasgow in February 2020 only to then endure an eleven-month wait in between games due to the pandemic stoppage and a troublesome knee injury.

Still, his eight appearances for the Warriors in the 2020/21 season were enough to convince Ulster to sign him on a deal that was ultimately scuppered when he failed a medical at the Irish club. That left Nakarawa returning to France, taking up a contract at Toulon where he made 13 appearances in his sole season there before getting released at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.

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That decision left him unemployed but it was only temporary as Castres decided to gamble on offering the 65-cap second row a one-year deal. It was at the beginning of July that this contract emerged and the club have now explained why they opted to bring in Nakarawa.

In a video published on the Castres website, team manager Pierre-Henry Broncan said: “He was on the list of unemployed because he was not retained by Toulon where he played last season. At 34, he has a strong ambition which is to compete in the 2023 World Cup in France.

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“His versatility, his experience at the very highest level and his motivation seduced us. Today, he is a player who really has an objective to finish his career and he knows very well that he needs to go through a big season with Castres Olympique to be able to try to reach the 2023 World Cup.”

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C
CO 34 minutes ago
Forget Ireland, the All Blacks face the real alpha of Europe next

I cannot believe that you don't think the French rugby team coach and captain are not discussing putting Jalibert on the bench in favour of Duponts club teammate that doesn't even play at 10.


This is a terrible, massive insult to a 10 and I'm sure Dupont would also be very enraged if benched for a player that doesn't even play halfback.


A good captain would've insisted to the coach that it was an idea of madness and either select Jalibert or replace him with another 10 if you want him to be reserve.


Jalibert may not be the world's finest tacklers but that's often not a tens main strength that the loose forwards and second five cover. An intercept pass is never great but they happen.


When any player is playing for his club then it's club first, respect doesn't need to be shown to opposition players simply because they're internationals.


Who exactly are you claiming Jalibert hasn't respected? If it's Toulouse international players then it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this bench demotion out.


The outcome of selecting Jalibert to the bench and he then throwing his croissants out the window of the team bus immediately prior to playing the Allblacks is a disaster that will be team disharmony as any team mates of Jalibert are in a state of anger and revolt so a performance that will be sub optimal against a team that is thirsting for revenge against France.


I don't know about you but the Allblacks are very upset they've lost twice in a row to France and want to put out a statement performance so this preparation by Galthie of creating havoc looks to me like a coach that is clueless.

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