The legendary Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo: ‘Now I cut grass, do gardens, cut hedges for a living’

Nemani Nadolo—whatever happened to him?After a 15-year, five-country tour, the renowned Fijian winger laid up his boots last year and announced on social media in April 2023 that he would be retiring at the conclusion of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
He had returned to Australia after leading Steve Borthwick’s Leicester team to the Gallagher Premiership title, and he was four games into his second tenure with the New South Wales Waratahs at the time. And right now? RugbyPass got up with the 36-year-old who had smiled when pitching in the Far East at the Hong Kong 10s the other week.

The location was once what made him famous, since the Crusaders were piqued by his deeds eleven years prior. When he had previously played in the invitational competition, he was in his 20s and was tearing it up in Japan following turbulent times in France and England. He had scored the championship try with a length-of-field gallop.

That effect remained in memory. On April 3, Nadolo’s appearance off the Ashbury Tropics bench to score a pick-and-go just one minute after his initial involvement—packing down in a scrum—was even acknowledged over the Happy Valley stadium PA system.

Nadolo laughed, “I saw some of the London Scottish old boys and they reminded me.” They were winning on a Wednesday night when I ran 80 meters to score the game-winning try. I came here early in my career, when I was kind of unheard of, and after this competition, I went on to play for the Crusaders. I don’t have 80 meters or the speed that I had previously.

“They say, ‘You played here,’ when you return now. It’s a fantastic competition that produces many outstanding players. Future All Blacks, Wallabies, and England internationals are participating in this tournament, however we are not aware of this yet.

 

It’s strange because, although I arrived here at the beginning of my career, I’m now at the end, and it’s wonderful to see so many guys who have big dreams. I’m only here to make up the numbers for our squad; I have nothing to prove. I may not be the most physically fit, but come on, go ahead and make a joke. It’s enjoyable.
till someone beats you. Just after Nadolo had shared his candid thoughts regarding his move out of rugby and his career with RugbyPass for thirty minutes, the Tropics were eliminated in the semi-finals on Thursday.

Although his first experience living in Sydney after retirement was difficult, he has since purchased his own company, is coaching, participating in social rugby, and providing commentary on the Fijian Drua. Content? Indeed!

“I started working as an HR manager for a trucking company two weeks after I retired. For nine months, I did that. The experience was fantastic, but I wasn’t in it. Long hours were also a hindrance. I made a vow to my wife that I wouldn’t spend as much time away from home after I retired from rugby.

“There were both positive and negative aspects. I disregarded a lot of things in favor of my work. I had trouble. Prioritize other people and things over me. By the time nine months had passed, I was undoubtedly psychologically exhausted.

“I decided to stop that and purchase a Sydney landscaping and lawn-mowing franchise for Jim’s Mowing.” I now make a living by cutting grass, tending to gardens, and trimming hedges, which is fortunate for me because it keeps me somewhat engaged in the game. I wasn’t involved in rugby for nine months, but I’m back coaching a colts squad at Northern Suburbs, my local club.

 

“Playing the game for fifteen years has given me a lot, and one of my passions is assisting the next generation in realizing their potential. I’m down at Norths assisting the back three and outside backs while attempting to impart some winger knowledge to them. I keep my body active by playing rugby, which I play in fourth grade. genuinely loving it. And I’m beginning to think back on my career, which has been fulfilling.

I’m doing some teaching here at the Hong Kong 10s, which is something I’ve always wanted to do, as well as some commentary. As for coaching, I’d want to see how it develops, but I’d also love to enter the media and give it my all.

 

Being from South Sea Island, where there aren’t many men in the media or commentators, is one thing that truly inspires me. By participating in that media landscape, I may serve as a role model for upcoming younger men who want to pursue careers in media.

 

How does the pitch compare to the commentary booth? “Though it’s different, the heart rate is elevated. Though it’s not physical, quick thinking is required. It simply has a different dynamic of pressure, but practice every day and do your studies to improve, just like anything else. My hand is typically up wherever I can acquire media employment or commentary. It’s quite awesome.

 

Nadolo’s memories of his career are fascinating as well, and his guidance for aspiring professionals is insightful. Simply exercise patience. For me, patience was the most important factor. It didn’t come easily or quickly, but I played in many different nations and in some incredible events. I think I considered giving up on the game a few times.

“I would advise a young man to just keep improving, have patience, and participate in events like these [HK10s].” When I first started playing rugby, I recall having the idea that you never know who is watching, so I attempted to participate in every invitation competition available. My first professional game wasn’t until two years later, but after fifteen years, I think I had a respectable career.

Indeed, Nadolo did. But when was the one particular instance in his career when the wrecking ball believed he was at his most devastating peak? “One season wouldn’t do it for me. I think my best years were 2014–2017, during which I played a lot of excellent games. I was always hearing comments like, “You are too big to be playing the position you’re playing, you don’t have what it takes to make it,” so that’s where I got the confidence to believe in myself as a player.It’s strange since I was informed at the beginning of my 15-year career that I was too large to play the game. Going back to what I said earlier, all you have to do is have patience. If you genuinely believe in your abilities and yourself, you will be chosen eventually.

 

At the time, it was rather difficult. I’ve probably moved on from my hatred of many coaches. My motivation came from hearing comments like “you’re not good enough” or “you don’t have what it takes to make it.” I played with an internal grudge—if you tell me I can’t do anything, I’ll prove you wrong—and I think I carried that attitude into my professional life.

 

“It was probably the Crusaders in New Zealand who told me, ‘We know you’re not going to be the quickest, we know you’re not going to be the fittest, but you’re the strongest and you’re quick for your size.'” All it needed was a coach or an organization to trust in what you have. That was all it took for me.

 

“My career took off when they [Todd Blackadder and company] showed faith in me. I got to play with guys like Dan Carter and Richie McCaw and had that confidence they gave me.” That’s precisely what happened.

“Rugby, as I usually say, is a man’s view. If a man at one club tells you that you’re not good enough, another man at that same club might say the exact opposite. After being told I wasn’t good enough when I performed in Australia, I found myself performing in New Zealand four or five years later—something I had given up on ever accomplishing. That was the beginning of it all.

The one thing I adore about rugby in New Zealand is that it’s inclusive of players of all shapes and sizes. It’s likely that the clubs I was in previously were unprepared to deal with a large outside back. Simply put, it’s about going somewhere where you are valued and witnessing the harm that can be done to the competition and the confidence that is ingrained when you are backed by a team or organization that believes in you.

Nadolo has a strong legacy that endures in Christchurch. He beamingly said, “I think I still have the bench press record at the Crusaders.” A few years back, when I visited, a board was up. Bench press was maybe 180, squat was maybe 200. I think that was my best effort.

 

It’s funny because at the end of my career, when I was playing for Leicester and Montpellier, especially with Steve Borthwick (who is a great man and coach; I’m happy for him for his accomplishments at England), I would sometimes stop lifting weights and he would tell me to “just get yourself ready for Saturday.”

“I sat on a Wattbike for the majority of my career’s conclusion. For the most part of the final 1.5 years of my profession, I merely sat on a bike and prepared my body for the weekend rather than doing weights.

Is there any other metric Nadolo would like to share? “I believe I completed the 40-meter run in 4.9 (seconds); with 130 kg, I was 4.9. I was a mature boy. For a large guy, it’s probably not too awful given many of the guys run 4.4s and 4.3s. That was most likely my fastest time above 40.

His career in Fiji Tests is also mentioned. I spent 14 years playing 31 Test matches. They didn’t begin to play six, seven, or eight Test matches until the past two years. In certain years, we might play three or four Test matches, with the remaining matches being against developing teams or Barbarians.

“Fiji has advanced significantly. For Fiji and the islands, 50 games was the same as 100 games. We are not able to play fifteen Test matches in a season. Thus, I consider it a great accomplishment to have played 31 Tests in 14 years, three of which I was not selected for, and to have represented Fiji in a World Cup.

“It feels great to return. This year, I conducted some commentary while I was there. People approaching me and complimenting me on my career made me feel humbled. I wouldn’t change a thing, and I’m proud. I played Australian U20s and was raised in Australia, but opportunities didn’t present themselves. You have to go on to the next opportunity and career.

“I usually have this thing where I just keep knocking, and one day a lot of clubs did, and I had the best time ever. I just recently received compensation for the fifteen years I spent traveling the world as a traveler. I switched countries each time I changed clubs. Few players can claim to have enjoyed their career as much as I did while playing at all these clubs in all these countries.

“Well, I wish I had performed more in front of my family. Aside from that, I suppose my siblings never watched any of my games, but I still got to tour the world for nothing. Travelers pay to visit these nations. I was present!

“As my job came to an end, we had a baby boy and traveled a lot. The fact that I had a family at the conclusion of my career was a blessing in disguise. My life has changed a little after becoming a father. I’m still shifting, even though things aren’t as crazy as they once were.

“I don’t believe there is a set period of time during which a professional athlete must move out of retirement. It’s difficult. It’s difficult, don’t get me wrong, but it’s much easier when you have supportive friends and family.

“When I retired, I had little opportunity to think back on my professional life. As previously stated, I started working at an office right away. I wasn’t able to participate in rugby again until I took the initiative to launch my own company, and at this point I’m sort of thinking back on the career I had. I’ve played games, so I haven’t watched any, but it’s extremely humbling to come down here and have people say hi and ask to take pictures, etc.

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