Pick'n Go
World Rugby must make Pacific Nations No.1 focus
Sam Bruce
May 11, 2015
Nemani Nadolo starred for the Crusaders against Queensland Reds (video available only in Australia)
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Reports last week that European clubs are forcing players from the Pacific Islands to retire from Test rugby in order to earn a contract should be, if true, the No.1 issue on World Rugby's agenda.

As we continue the countdown to the eighth staging of the Rugby World Cup, it's worth remembering the contribution of Tonga, Samoa and Fiji have made at the previous editions of the game's showpiece event: Western Samoa's upset win over Wales, and the major fright they gave eventual champions in Australia, in 1991; Samoa's fine play in Australia in 2003, when they pushed England all the way; Fiji's run to the quarter-finals in 2007; and Tonga's memorable upset of runners-up France just four years ago.

Can you imagine a tournament without them? If something isn't done at the top level, not only will we be at long odds to see another tournament- making upset; but the island nations, in future years, may not be there at all. And how he will miss the likes of Nemani Nadolo.

It's easy to get caught up in the selection storylines of the tournament's big guns. Every Australian rugby fan has an opinion on who should wear the Wallabies No.7 jersey, while the debate across the Tasman about the age of two of the game's greats just won't go away.

In South Africa, the Springboks had 19 players unable to train at a World Cup camp last week but injured skipper Jean de Villiers is "ahead of schedule", and in England Sam Burgess seems to have settled into life in Bath's back-row.

Nemani Nadolo © Getty Images
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Fiji's Rupeni Caucaunibuca makes a break, Scotland v Fiji, 2003 Rugby World Cup, Sydney, Australia, November 1, 2003
Rupeni Caucaunibuca remains one of Fiji's best © Getty Images
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But forget that lot.

Nemani Nadolo is one player - the player, in the column's eye, who can really set the tournament alight later this year after the sight of the Fijian winger thundering down the left touchline in Christchurch on Friday evoked memories of the great Rupeni Caucaunibuca and his exploits against Scotland in Sydney in 2003; Reds winger Lachie Turner may not share the excitement, however.

Nadolo has been a revelation for the Crusaders since joining the franchise at the start of last season. Friday night's demolition job of Turner, and the rest of the Reds backs for that matter, was just the latest in a string of powerhouse performances that have helped to keep the Crusaders' season alive.

Nadolo could so easily have been lining up for Australia later this year, having spent much of his life in Brisbane before moving to Sydney for an ill-fated stint with the Waratahs. But it wasn't until he moved to France, and then to Japan, that he realised his full potential; talents that could yet help deliver another memorable Rugby World Cup boilover.

The so-called "Pool of Death", otherwise known as Pool A, includes hosts England, Wales and Australia; and if you believe the form lines, it will be decided in the space of a fortnight when those three nations face each other at Twickenham. Uruguay are merely making up the numbers, but Fiji, at least in one of their matches against Australia, England and Wales, are more than capable of creating further Cup folklore with another massive upset. Just last year, they pushed Wales all the way in Cardiff having been together as a squad for little more than a few weeks; with more preparation time up their sleeve, they'll present a far greater challenge come September.

Samoa's Tanner Vili dives in to score, Samoa v Uruguay, World Cup, Subiaco Oval, October 15 2003
Pacific Island Nations have produced some great moments throughout World Cup history © Getty Images
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That is providing they have access to their complete list of players. Nadolo will be there, and there is no suggestion the Crusaders have made any Test retirement request; but for Nadolo's Fiji team-mates based in Europe, and the Tongans and Samoans, the path to the Cup may not be so clear.

European clubs have long provided career opportunities that players from the Pacific Islands may not otherwise have had, allowing them to provide for their families back home. But the recent increase in players switching allegiance to European nations - Australia and New Zealand aren't absolved, either - and the latest reports of forced international retirements, if true, go against everything rugby stands for.

World Rugby has done a fantastic job of growing the game across the world, but the Pacific Island have, to some degree, slipped between the cracks. The governing body has already said it will consider increasing the residency requirement from three to five years, but officials are yet to comment on the forced retirement reports.

A quick look at any World Cup highlights package shows just what the Pacific Islands nations add to the tournament, and why this issue requires swift action. The next Crusaders game will prove a valuable reference point, too. As does the Crusaders-Reds video report at the top of this column, featuring Nadolo.

© Getty Images
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