Nadolo re-signs with Crusaders

Giant Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo, having brushed aside a racist taunt in a Christchurch bar earlier this week, has re-signed with the Crusaders for another two years of Super Rugby.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said on Friday that Nadolo would now return to his NEC Green Rockets team in Japan for another season before rejoining the Crusaders in 2015.

Having scored a try in the Crusaders’ one-point Super Final loss to the Waratahs last Saturday, Nadolo tweeted about a racial taunt he received while drinking with Crusaders teammates in a Christchurch bar on Sunday night.

The tweet prompted a wave of support from the Crusaders and other leading sports figures, including Race Relations Commissioner and former world squash champion Susan Devoy.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder says Nadolo has become a core figure at the Crusaders in his first season and has a lot more to contribute.

“Nemani has fitted so well into our environment. He is much loved by his teammates and by our fans so we are thrilled that we will all be able to enjoy more of the big man next year,” Blackadder said in a statement.

In the same statement, Nadolo said he loved playing for the Crusaders.

“I am grateful for all I have learned, the progress I’ve made, and the friendships I’ve formed,” he said.

“I can’t wait to come back next year and help this team take it even further in 2015.”

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