Nadolo excited to damage opposition
The Crusaders wing, who plays centre for Fiji and is their goal-kicker, is back in training and on course to be fit in time for World Cup 2015: Bad news for Fiji’s Pool A rivals but great news for fans of running rugby.
Nadolo set the Super Rugby season alight with his try-scoring exploits for the Crusaders before a torn abductor last month, in Fiji’s one-point loss to New Zealand Maori, stopped him in his tracks.
A four to five week spell of rehabilitation back in New Zealand whilst his countrymen competed at World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup 2015 appears to have done the trick, and the 125kg wing, often compared to Jonah Lomu in his pomp for his sheer pace and power, is now looking forward to having the chance to fulfil his Rugby World Cup dream.
"When I was a kid all I wanted to do was play in a World Cup," Nadolo he told World Rugby.
I remember the 1995 and the 1999 World Cups growing up and seeing all these guys play. So for me to get an opportunity, hopefully this year, it will be one off the bucket list. It’s something I’m really looking forward to.
Most pundits have Fiji down as exiting the competition at the pool stages despite their recent PNC title win in North America.
With a draw that sees them compete against hosts and former champions England, two-time winners Australia and surprise "World Cup 2011 semifinalists Wales, Fiji and Uruguay are regarded as the make-weights of Pool A.
"A lot of people aren’t expecting much from us in the pool that we’re in but you know that’s the thing, we’re just going to go in there and enjoy it and enjoy the World Cup," said Nadolo, who’ll be looking to add to his tally of 13 tries in 17 international appearances at the World Cup.
"The World Cup is the pinnacle of the professional game and to the people knowing that we’re going to the World Cup this year means there’s a lot of excitement back home.
"For me, in a way, I look at it like I’m putting Fiji on the map. Wherever I go, wherever I play, I know I’m not just carrying my family now, I’m carrying my friends, I’m carrying the country, and I love that. I love going out there knowing that I am representing Fiji."
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