Fiji star announces shock retirement from international rugby in emotional post - Ruck
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Fiji star announces shock retirement from international rugby in emotional post

31 January 2019
Steven
Fiji suffered a setback ahead of this year’s Rugby World Cup after behemoth wing Nemani Nadolo announced his international retirement.

Nadolo, who plays his club rugby at Top 14 outfit Montpellier, posted on Instagram on Thursday morning to announce his retirement from international rugby and ultimately ruling himself out of the global showpiece later this year in Japan.

The 31-year-old has played 30 Tests for Fiji since his Test debut against the Wallabies in 2010 and has played club rugby all around the world, including a three-year stint with the Crusaders in Super Rugby.

Nadolo wrote in his post: I thought I’d be the first to let you all know that i’v(sic) called it a day playing for my beloved country Fiji.

“First and foremost I want to thank the almighty for without him I believe I would never have gotten this far.

“The moment I debuted as a “caretaker” of the jersey back in 2010 I would have never thought I’d have played for this long and represented the tiny island of Fiji.

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I thought I'd be the first to let you all know that i'v called it a day playing for my beloved country Fiji. First and foremost I want to thank the almighty for without him i believe I would never have gotten this far. The moment I debuted as a "caretaker" of the jersey back in 2010 I would have never thought I'd have played for this long and represented the tiny island of Fiji. I want to thank all the coaches, trainers, physios and people I have come in contact with during my time as a "caretaker" of the jersey. To all the past and present players whom i'v had the honour of playing along side with I want to say big VINAKA.. Most of all to the PEOPLE of Fiji both in Fiji and abroad. I just want to let you all know that it's been a pleasure to have represented you all over the years.. I believe this team belongs to the people of fiji and its because of you we find the motivation to play everytime we get the opportunity and for that I hope I haven't let you guys down. With the depth and current crop of outside backs coming through I have no doubt that the next "caretakers" of the jersey will do a great job.. Iv faced a few challenges over the last 18 month's both on and off the field. After speaking to my partner @kimstyleme for a long period of time about this I felt it was the right decision for me and my family moving forward. I still have a lot to prove and I look forward to doing that with my club @mhr_officiel.. I wish the coaches and the current squad all the best for the future and have no doubt they will do well!.. #vinaka #veilomani ❤

A post shared by Nemani Nadolo (@nemani_nadolo) on

“I want to thank all the coaches, trainers, physios and people I have come in contact with during my time as a “caretaker” of the jersey.

“To all the past and present players whom i’v had the honour of playing along side with I want to say big VINAKA..

“Most of all to the PEOPLE of Fiji both in Fiji and abroad.

“I just want to let you all know that it’s been a pleasure to have represented you all over the years.. I believe this team belongs to the people of fiji and its because of you we find the motivation to play everytime we get the opportunity and for that I hope I haven’t let you guys down.

EDITORS PICKS:

“With the depth and current crop of outside backs coming through I have no doubt that the next “caretakers” of the jersey will do a great job.. Iv (sic) faced a few challenges over the last 18 month’s (sic) both on and off the field.

“After speaking to my partner @kimstyleme for a long period of time about this I felt it was the right decision for me and my family moving forward.

“I still have a lot to prove and I look forward to doing that with my club @mhr_officiel.. I wish the coaches and the current squad all the best for the future and have no doubt they will do well!.. #vinaka#veilomani.”