Big wings and big dreams for Fijian rugby

Whenever someone mentions a big winger in rugby, the first name that comes into everyone’s mind is Jonah Lomu.

The rugby behemoth, that single-handedly changed the nature of rugby today only had a short life span as a rugby player (halted by his kidney ailment) but in that short time defined the future of rugby for the next two decades.

Since Lomu exploded into the game, clubs have been going around searching for big, fast wingers, mainly of Polynesian background so that they can have their own Lomu. Since Lomu’s breakthrough, plenty of large men have been seen running on the wings for top clubs and international teams and a few of them have been making headlines since.

Fiji have had a fair share of these giants. Recently, one of these giants escaped down the beanstalk which grows on the mountains of Fiji and onto the rugby field.

I’m talking about the one and only Nemani Nadolo. He has been around since 2007 but has only caught the eyes of fans a few years back after breaking out into Super Rugby. Born in Sigatoka, a town dubbed the rugby town of Fiji, this 1.96m, 125kg giant shares bloodline with former Wallaby winger Lote Tuqiri and former NRL great Noa Nadruku.

His father, Isei Nasiganiyavi was just as big when he represented Queensland Reds back in Super 6. Nadolo broke into Super Rugby in 2014 scoring 12 tries in 14 games equaling the try tally with another big player – Israel Folau.

Fiji, a country known to produce speedy and skilful wingers, has had a few large wingers in their artillery over the years. Some names include Sireli Bobo, just over 100kg but speed that can beat any opposition winger. Sireli Naqelevuki, who dominated Super Rugby for a few seasons on the wing for the Stormers.

Rupeni Caucau who started off small but became large really quick but never lost his pace and has been regarded time and again as one of the best Super Rugby wingers. More recently, Napolioni Nalaga, the first Fijian player to score over 100 tries in Top 14 rugby and was once voted the player of the year in French rugby.

Another player of Fijian extraction recently made a mark in Super Rugby, Taqele Naiyaravoro. The man born in the islands of Yasawa who is around the same height as Nadolo but weighing 5kg less started playing rugby league in Australia.

He made his name in the NSW Cup scoring 23 tries in 15 games for the Balmain Tigers but was never good enough to play in the main NRL Competition.

He got a callup from Super Rugby team, the Waratahs, who wanted to bring in their own giant winger after watching a player they never really gave a chance to, Nemani Nadolo ripping apart the competition in the 2014 Super Rugby season. Though Taqele had a slow start, he soon became the go-to guy for the Waratahs in the 2015 Super Rugby season, opening the door to Wallaby selection.

Fiji have over the years have had the best finishers in world rugby, from Senivalati Laulau in the 80s, to Marika Vunibaka, Manasa Bari, Viliame Satala and Fero Lasagavibau in the 90s to Rupeni Caucau, Seru Rabeni, Vilimoni Delasau, Aisea Tuilevu, Napolioni Nalaga, Timoci Nagusa, Norman Ligairi, Sireli Bobo and Watisoni Votu. Now to add Nemani Nadolo and possibly, Taqele Naiyaravoro to that list.

I personally think Fiji does not need Taqele Naiyaravoro and this is mainly because we are spoilt for wingers. Having another large winger in the squad would not really add anything.

If Naiyaravoro gets named in the Australian squad, good luck to him. He will be Fiji’s gift to Australia.

Fiji – who are in the pool of death with Australia, Uruguay, Wales and England will have a tough time to make the knockout rounds.

In 2007, they emphatically beat Wales to make their second appearance in the Rugby World Cup quarters, going down to eventual winners South Africa. Since then have showed no signs of repeating the feat, but with a player like Nemani Nadolo in their squad – a player who has the ability to dominate the game – anything could happen.

Fiji may have a bite left in them when they face England in the opening game of the Rugby World Cup in September and though the chance of Fiji winning two games seems like a dream, its a dream worth believing in. Even though Fiji may not possess the best front row in the world, the best line-out or be the best in scrummaging, we have Nadolo.