Castres president makes bizarre admission after Nakarawa extension

Lock Leone Nakarawa of Fiji has extended his contract with Top 14 team Castres by one year, extending him until 2025. Nakarawa has said that 2025 may be his last season.

The erratic attacker moved from Toulon to Castres in 2022 in an attempt to make Fiji’s World Cup squad for the previous year. Even though those plans did not work out, he deserves to stay at Stade Pierre-Fabre for another year.

The five-time French champions made the announcement on Thursday, along with an unusual confession from President Pierre-Yves Revol. Revol stated that the club has no intention of giving the European player of the year award for 2018 a new contract.

It was not intended to keep Nakarawa on the team once two homegrown players were added. Revol acknowledged that they were unable to decline another year due to his performances and attitude.

He stated, “We had recruited two JIFF players in the second row, and the extension of Leone Nakarawa was not planned” (Google translation).

“However, his contributions to the group’s existence and his performances inspired us when he said he would like to sign a one-year contract extension.

“Despite his advanced age, it was impossible to not profit a little bit longer from this special player’s abilities to make the ball come to life and keep the game going. The opportunity to help this exceptional athlete relaunch his career makes the OC very delighted.

The Fijian has had a remarkable career, excelling at Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Toulon, and Castres, among other clubs he has played for. He has also not been distant from controversy—whether it stemmed from an unsuccessful transfer to Ulster or his firing by Racing 92 following his delayed return from the World Cup in 2019.

The lock, who is currently 35 years old, stated that the upcoming season might be his last one. At the end of his career, he was among the finest players in the world. “I found a lot of pleasure in playing rugby,” he stated, adding that he is “very satisfied to be able to end my career in a family club with a collective spirit that I have rarely experienced.”

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