Napolioni Nalaga is back to Clermont – Rugby News update
Napolioni Nalaga, the young sensation from Fiji, is going to be plying his trade once again in the top 14, with his old team, the Clermont Auvergne. This will be his second stint with the club where he has signed a two-year contract, with the option of extending
it for another year.
After leaving in dubious circumstances, it seemed that his time at Clermont was over, but on his re-signing, the coach, Jean-Marc Lhermet, is happy that he is back with his team and said, "The story could not end like this. We have always said, since the
departure of Nap's, that the option remained open for his return.”
Nalaga who is also nicknamed 'Naps', like his father, is a winger. Both father and son have represented Fiji, albeit his father in the 80’s. Naps has represented Fiji in 8 tests and played a solitary test for the Pacific Islanders. He came to prominence
at the Under-19 Rugby World Cup, and his performances at the Under-21 level were turning heads.
He subsequently signed for Clermont Auvergne for the 2007-2008 season at the back of these impressive performances. Playing alongside other Fijians such as, Vilimoni Delasau and Seremaia Bai, he was the top try-scorer in the Top14 league during his first
season. In total he attempted 16 tries.
Clermont longed for him as much as he longed for the club. Coach Jean-Marc Lhermet also added on his re-signing, "We are happy to find Nap's has remained very attached to the club during his absence. His emotional ties with Clermont have always existed and
he will return to the club that has remained close to his heart."
His first stint with the club ended in March 2011, as Nalaga was unable to give a guarantee to the club if he would return or not, following his fiancée's accident in December 2010, and the postponement of his wedding.
All these problems have been sorted and he returns to the club along with three other signings ahead of the new season. Clermont would expect the same form that made him win the hearts of fans in his first year.
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