Update: 10:20AM WHEN Jonah Lomu swept to global prominence by trampling through defences at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, it was the English who came off the worst at the hands of the giant New Zealand winger.
“He’s a freak,” England captain Will Carling said after Lomu’s monstrous, four-try display in the semifinal, “and the sooner he goes away, the better.”
Twenty years on, another powerful South Pacific wing is threatening to blow a hole in England’s defence on rugby’s biggest stage – and this one is more enormous than Lomu.
Standing at 6-foot-5 (1.96 metres) and weighing almost 20 stones (128kg), Nemani Nadolo is the hard-running, goal-kicking wideman who is the pride of Fiji and the main danger to England in the tournament opener at Twickenham on Friday (Saturday NZ Time).
Nadolo – the cousin of past and present Australia internationals Lote Tuqiri and Tevita Kuridrani – has been compared to Lomu ever since his potential emerged in the Australia Under-20 side in 2008. But that was purely because of his size rather than his exploits on the rugby field.
Now a proven and prolific finisher on the Super Rugby and international stage rather than simply a battering ram, Nadolo is a fearsome opponent. Pity the players over the next few weeks charged with stopping the biggest winger ever to play at the Rugby World Cup.
“Throughout my entire career, people have doubted me and said I was too big,” said Nadolo, who was 13 stones (83kg) before his 12th birthday. “I’m working hard to get into my prime. I’m not far off.”
Educated at Nudgee, one of Australia’s top rugby schools, Nadolo had inauspicious spells with the Waratahs in Australia and in French and English domestic rugby, before the Canterbury-based Crusaders plucked Nadolo from Japanese team NEC Green Rockets in 2014. He was the joint-leading try-scorer in the 2014 competition before adding nine more tries for the Crusaders this year, developing skills he previously lacked to make him much more than simply a barger.
For Fiji, he scored 13 tries in his first 15 tests – including crossing in 10 tests in a row. Nadolo could have represented Australia, but he is a proud Fijian, and the guy the team will rally around at the World Cup.
Still, more than his try-scoring, it’s his giant frame that makes Nadolo stand out more than anything. Jamie Roberts, the Wales centre who is regarded as one of the most physical backs in European rugby, has said it is the ultimate “man test” facing Nadolo.
The man directly opposing Nadolo will be Anthony Watson, who is five stones lighter.
“It will be a massive challenge,” Watson said.
Nadolo’s talents also extend to kicking goals for Fiji, probably making him the first name on the team sheet when the lineup was announced on Wednesday.
Fiji made only one change to the starting XV which ran over Canada 47-18 in London 11 days ago, with Ben Volavola picked at first-five over Josh Matavesi, who was in the reserves.
Volavola, unwanted by New South Wales this year, made his Fiji debut this year, and has been signed for next year by the Crusaders.
Coach John McKee said both players will feature at first-five in the tournament.
Matavesi prefers the No 12 jersey, but can play anywhere from 10-15. He was one of five changes in the reserves, the incoming including hooker Tuapati Talemaitoga, backup props Peni Ravai and Isei Colati, and loose forward cover from Peceli Yato.
FIJI: Metuisela Talebula, Waisea Nayacalevu, Vereniki Goneva, Gabiriele Lovobalavu, Nemani Nadolo, Ben Volavola, Nikola Matawalu; Sakiusa Masi Matadigo, Akapusi Qera (captain), Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Leone Nakarawa, Apisalome Ratuniyarawa, Manasa Saulo, Sunia Koto, Campese Ma’afu. Reserves: Tuapati Talemaitoga, Peni Ravai, Isei Colati, Tevita Cavubati, Peceli Yato, Nemia Kenatale, Josh Matavesi, Aseli Tikoirotuma.
