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Nadolo to join Leicester ahead of 2020/21 season

02 Mar 2020

Nemani Nadolo

Leicester Tigers have announced that Nemani Nadolo will join the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The Fiji international will swap Top14 side Montepellier for Welford Road this summer, as reported by RugbyPass last Friday.

The 6’4, 137kg Nadolo is believed to have signed a two-year deal with Geordan Murphy’s side, where he will look to help improve the Leicester Tigers’ fortunes after two frustration seasons in the Premiership.

Any move to take the Six Nations away from terrestrial television and behind a paywall could have a knock-on effect with tournament sponsors, explains @chrisjonespress https://t.co/JcXirZl85c
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

Nadolo has spent the last four years at Montpellier, where he has registered a stunning return of 53 tries in just 68 games.

The outside-back has also notched up 222 points in 29 Test appearances for Fiji since his international debut in 2010.

The versatile Nadolo can play at winger or in the midfield, and his signature represents a major coup for Leicester.

“I’ve heard a lot of good things about the club,” Nadolo said.

??
We will welcome Nemani Nadolo to the club ahead of the 2020/21 season.
?? https://t.co/K0LMyOAUF4 pic.twitter.com/Inwctaj0HM
— Leicester Tigers (@LeicesterTigers) March 2, 2020

“Tigers is everything I’m looking for in a club … family first and the vision they have moving forward is something I wanted to be a part of.

“I can’t wait to roll my sleeves up and rip in. It’s a great opportunity for me and my family to come set up shop in your town. Hopefully I earn the respect of the fans by doing my talking on the field.”

Tigers head coach Geordan Murphy said the addition of Nadolo was one that players, coaches and supporters could all “get excited” for.

“It’s certainly one to get excited about, no matter who you are,” said Murphy.

Reports in France claim another big name is headed for the exit at Allianz Park.https://t.co/Z3oUJ0lZzr
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

“He’s a star of the international game and a player that crowds all over the world have been able to enjoy see play.

“Now, the Tigers faithful get that chance and the playing squad, as well as coaching staff, get the opportunity to work alongside and with Nemani from next season.”

Nadolo will be the latest in a long of Fijians to represent the club, following in the footsteps of fellow countrymen Seru Rabeni, Vereniki Goneva, Seremaia Bai and more recently Campese Ma’afu, as well as World Rugby Hall of Famer Waisale Serevi.

Murphy, who played with all but Ma’afu for Tigers, is confident that Nadolo can leave a legacy like his fellow Fijians at Welford Road.

A statement from Sale read, "The club and Chris have reached a mutual agreement regarding the termination of his Sale Sharks contract and he will leave the club immediately." pic.twitter.com/qByGwDbFqk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

“We have been blessed with some incredible Fijians at Tigers and I was fortunate enough to have featured alongside some of the very, very best as a player,” added Murphy.

“Nemani certainly possesses the traits of a player that Tigers fans look for and if we didn’t believe he could come here and do for us what we know he’s capable of, we wouldn’t have signed him.

“I don’t think it will be long before we are hearing ‘Nadolo’ chanted from the Terrace at Welford Road.”

Some big news from the England camp.https://t.co/SjBa9QKhAM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 2, 2020

The 32-year-old’s signing comes on the back of recent announcement of new arrivals Zack Henry and Shalva Mamukashvili, as well as recommitments from international duo George Ford and Ellis Genge, as well as youngsters Tom Hardwick, George Worth and Sam Aspland-Robinson.

Prior to his move to Montpellier, Nadolo had stints with the Crusaders in New Zealand, Green Rockets in Japan, Exeter Chiefs, Bourgoin and the NSW Waratahs in Australia.

In a career spanning across two decades, Nadolo has registered more than 1,000 points in domestic and international rugby, including more than 150 professional tries.

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Head high tackle 12 minutes ago

Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

Yes I just love how the two articles Ive read about this so far talk about the great matches the NRL and AFL will have on “ANZAC” weekend so RA and NZR should have a test match. SR will have exactely the same thing as NRL and AFL EXCEPT….. It will be between actual Aus v NZ teams.

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SadersMan 20 minutes ago

Rugby down under could have hit high gear with Anzac Tests

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SadersMan 1 hour ago

Sky Sports commentator on why Wallabies players are outplaying All Blacks counterparts

You’re confused.

A quick check of the Reds/Crusaders match statistics shows your first comment is nonsense. Hence I thought, either joking or sarcasm.

Then your 2nd comment jumps into the world of conspiracy theory. Despite HHT alluding to (admittedly somewhat clunky) the stupidity of Taylah using team variables (the draw) versus an individual match-up. Again I thought, joking or sarcasm?

Hardly rocket science mate.

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DS 1 hour ago

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My Lions Coaches would be P.O’CONNELL -FORWARDS / LINEOUT ,J. FOGERTY - SCRUM/BREAKDOWN, J. NIENABER - DEFENCE, R. WRIGGLESWORTH - ATTACK,, N.JENKINS - KICKING - , S.LANCASTER - SKILLS[ knows A.Farrell very well and alot of England and Irish players who will be touring] My Lions SQUAD 41 PLAYERS STRONG 1] P.SCHOEMANN - E.GENGE - A.PORTER 2] D.SHEEHAN - R.KELLENHER - J.GEORGE - D.LAKE [4 HOOKERS] 3] W.STUART - Z.FAGERSON - T.FURLONG [If proves fitness and form Otherwise F.BEALHAM 4] M.ITOJE - D.JENKINS 5] T.BEIRNE - O.CHESSUM - G.MARTIN 6] T.CURRY - J.MORGON -J.RITCHIE 7] B.CURRY -B.EARL - R.DARGE 8] C.DORIS -J.CONAN 9] JGP - B.WHITE - A.MITCHELL 10] F.RUSSELL - M.SMITH - G.FORD 11] J.LOWE - D.V.D.MERWE 12] B.AKI - R.HENSHAW [If S.TUIPULUTO doesn’t prove his fitnss and form] 13] H.JONES - G.RINGROSE - T.JORDON [Utility 14] T.FREEMAN - D.GRAHAM - E.DALY [Utility] 15] H.KEENAN - B.KINGHORN

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SC 1 hour ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Fair point. Serin is very good as are the others CV lists at 9.

My point was that none are Dupont’s class or experience at this point in their careers.

11 Go to comments

CV 1 hour ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Serin oozes class. He’d walk into any other test side. Then they also have Jauneau, Coly, Couilloud, Le Garrec… Six or so test level nines. At 10 they have Hastoy, Berdeu, Reus, Le Brun… At Toulouse they have 21 year old Valentin Delpy. He’s excellent too. The only position I see they have less depth in is tighthead prop. Haven’t been impressed with Colombe.

11 Go to comments

SC 1 hour ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Did Ireland beat the All Blacks after the 22 series?

Wasn’t it the Irish who were patting themselves on the back at the RWC after their pool victory over South Africa telling them they will see them again in the Finals overlooking their QF vs the All Blacks?

If you are going to lecture NZ on respect then don’t live in a glass house, Red.

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JW 1 hour ago

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I think he should need to go and permanently reside in Tonga

That’s ridiculous, aren’t both his parents Tongan? Thanks like saying Lomax shouldn’t have been allowed to be an All Black.

I don't see any benefit to NZ rugby

How is being able to select someone with the experience of going to a Rugby World Cup already not a huge benefit for the All Blacks?

Fiji is a viable rugby nation with it's sides talent overwhelmingly coming from Fiji, Tonga and Samoa should have to do the same

You need to give it the same amount of time then.

Again, you’re making no sense. It seems like you really are trying to make an example of the wrong situation because of the NH poaching problem. I suggest you listen to what I’m telling you and not just gloss over the facts to suite your argument.

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JW 1 hour ago

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JW 1 hour ago

Sky Sports commentator on why Wallabies players are outplaying All Blacks counterparts

None of what?

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Rugby 101 - Ed Pye 4 hours ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Another solution would be to move the schedule a week later - there’s a month long break before the Rugby Championship so why would the NZRU schedule the first game in conflict with a major club final?

Once you remove the scheduling issue - it becomes purely about player welfare and that’s the French unions issue to deal with. The whole idea of becoming the best team is moot if you cede all your national power to a club competition.

11 Go to comments

Rugby 101 - Ed Pye 4 hours ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

You say that winning isnt about psychology and then cite the NZ teams that lost at world cups because they were fretting about choking. Psychology is absolutely part of a winning strategy - its the ability to know that you can come back from adversity because you have trust in the “weapons” that you talk about. Its the difference between chasing someone down or saying “I’m beaten" - there’s no point”

11 Go to comments

J Marc 5 hours ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Some very interesting points in your post.

11 Go to comments

CO 5 hours ago

Kyren Taumoefolau All Blacks stance splits opinions on eligibility

Exactly, Moana is entirely a NZ side and it the second Auckland franchise. Its the only side in the world that's been setup for the alleged purpose of developing players for two other ‘countries’ from playing talent from another country.

In reality it's best players are always going to be picked for the Allblacks as they're eligible kiwis. That's never going to change so the best thing to do is stop the pretence and make the team just another NZ super franchise that isn't ethnically based to allow talent equal access to professional contracts regardless of their ethnicity.

Commentaries claiming players from this team need to be ignored by the Allblacks selectors are of course advocating for the ridiculous situation that NZ becomes the only rugby country that overlooks players born and living in that country with that countries citizenship.

20 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 hours ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

Serin?

11 Go to comments

RedWarriors 6 hours ago

'Matches between Les Bleus and the All Blacks are rarely for the faint-hearted.'

I am not really sure how this tour benefits France beyond showing NZ ways to beat them. They already know how to beat NZ.

Ireland won a series there in 2022 which prompted a year long shift in strategy to specifically beat Ireland. This was confirmed recently by Will Jordan.

Winning tight matches isn’t necessarily about psychology. It’s about having weapons to get over the line. For SA that was a scrum to win penalties and a kicker to either kick the penalty over or down the line if a try is needed. See SA v England in 2023 SF.

England used their jacklers to win penalties to get them deep into the 22 a couple of times late against France. Ireland improvised with drop kicks to win versus SA.

NZ spent decades fretting over choking in RWCs. Their strategy was often to develop such an outstanding team that pressure wouldn’t come into it. All they needed to do (France 99, 07) was to use some of their prep to learn how to neuter their opponents.