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Fijian legend Nemani Nadolo has confirmed his retirement date

(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Nemani Nadolo has taken to social media to confirm that 2023 will be his last year as a professional rugby player. The 35-year-old exited Leicester in November to take up a one-year Super Rugby Pacific deal with the Waratahs and four appearances into his second stint with the Sydney-based franchise, he has now revealed that it will be the last campaign of his stellar career.

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“2023 will be the year that I call time in my rugby career,” he wrote in an emotional message on his social media accounts. “When I signed my first professional contract in 2008, I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would go on to experience this incredible journey.

“I have had a lot of highs and a lot of lows during my time. I have travelled the world from Japan, France, UK and New Zealand. Moving home to Australia with my young family and my aging legs, I knew it was time to consider what is best for me and my future. It’s the question we all face as professional athletes, ‘What’s next?’

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RUGBYPASS INSIDERS | NADOLO – A RugbyPass Originals Documentary

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RUGBYPASS INSIDERS | NADOLO – A RugbyPass Originals Documentary

“As one chapter in my life comes to an end, another begins. I wish to thank the NSW Waratahs for bringing me home. It was always my dream to retire on home soil in front of my friends and family.

“For now, the season must go on and I look forward to finishing this season with my amazing teammates. Thank you to everyone for all the support over the years. You are the reason why we do what we do. God bless.”

A 32-cap Test veteran with Fiji, Nadolo started out at the Waratahs before heading to Europe for stints at Exeter and Bourgoin and then switching to the Green Rockets in Japan. He next appeared for the Crusaders in New Zealand before spending four seasons in France at Montpellier. Then came his post-pandemic years at Leicester before his decision to return home to the Waratahs for 2023.

His retirement message generated multiple warm responses typified by what ex-Samoan international Dan Leo wrote. “Awesome mana… been a pleasure to watch your courageous journey all these years.”

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Ex-Wales and Lions midfielder Jamie Roberts added: “Congrats mate. Enjoy the final stint with the Waratahs lads.”

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1 Comment
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A 588 days ago

Thanks Nadolo - shame we didn’t see the best of you and only got the beginning but and the end but if your career - probably best you go now though - Marky and Peaitch and young Jorgo have got this - go to STAN man you seem to fit in well there

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Hellhound 2 hours ago
South Africa will beat England at a canter

You forget that this was the 3rd Test between the AB's and the English this year. They were prepared and they knew how to keep NZ quiet. The Boks is not NZ.


The Boks is a whole other level. You overestimate England and underestimate the Boks. Clearly you haven't really looked at the teams. Besides the Irish games earlier this year, the Boks have mainly used experimental sides, even against the AB's.


Now they have chosen their best team available. They have targeted this game. The Boks mean business. Man for man, this Bok team is better. In strategy and player abilities there is no comparison and they are outmatched.


There isn't just monster strength, but unreal speed. In broken play there is currently no better team as well as defensively, not to even talk about the attacking threat, both from front and the back.


I'd say read between the lines, see what everyone is seeing, but clearly you are wearing blinders and is also putting too much emphasis on an AB's team the Boks beat twice this year, the same AB's that beaten England 3 times this year.


When Rassie gets serious, the players become machines. There is no stopping them. That bench is loaded with players that is fast, strong and have exceptional skills. This is a team not many teams will face before the 2027 WC, because the Boks doesn't use their best between WC's in one game. All experimental.


You will be proven wrong on Saturday and then you will wonder how you could have been so wrong. This Bok team means serious business. They came to conquer and not just by a close score. They want to demolish and they will. This England team at most is a 60 min team. Against the Boks that just won't cut it

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