Western Forces acquires Fijian International utility backs player Napolioni Nalaga – Rugby News
Perth based Australian Super Rugby franchise, Western Force, has announced the signing of the Fijian international utility back, Napolioni Nalaga. Officials at the club have confirmed the signing of the versatile backs player in a statement released on their website on Monday, September 5.
Force has claimed Nalaga from the French Top 14 outfit Clermont Auvergne, initially on a one-year deal. The club has termed Nalaga signing as their marquee signing for the 2012 Super Rugby season.
Nalaga is currently on national duty as he is part of the Flying Fijians 30-man squad for their 2011 Rugby World Cup campaign. He has expressed his delight on signing the new contract with the Force. He added that he has been in contact with the Force’s coach and expressed his desire to make a name with his performance at both the club and in the Super Rugby competition.
Nalaga added, “I’m pretty excited about coming to Super Rugby, it is a competition I have been following for a long time.”
Western Force head coach, Graham Henry, has expressed his pleasure on acquiring the services of the try scoring machine. Nalaga twice has won the French Top 14 leading top scorer awards, during the 2007/08, and 2008/09 seasons respectively. He added, “Nalaga obviously has the ability to score tries but also importantly he has shown that he can quickly gel into a new environment and different styles of rugby on the back of his efforts when he first arrived in France.”
Henry termed Nalaga as a perfect replacement for the France bound Samoan winger David Smith. He said, “Given we lost David (Smith) and his try scoring I wanted a like for like replacement and I’m confident we’ve achieved that.”
Henry has also praised Nalaga’s personality attributes besides commending his exceptional game related skills. He added that before finalising their decision to offer Nalaga a contract, he has spoken to the former Clermont’s coach Joe Schmidt. Schmidt recruited Nalaga in the French Top 14 outfit.
The 25-year-old Nalaga joined the French Top 14 outfit, Clermont Auvergne in 2007. He has made 90 appearances for Clermont and has scored 305 points, including 61 tries. He made his international debut for the Fiji in 2006 and so far has made six international appearances for Flying Fijians.
The Sigatoka born Nalaga has captained the Fiji’s Under-21 side and has also played for Fiji’s Under-19s and Sevens side. He also has won the French Top 14 player of year award for his outstanding performance during the 2008/09 season.
Nalaga will join the rest of the squad in the pre season trainings, at the end of the 2011 RWC.
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