Napolioni Nalaga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Napolioni Nalaga

Birth name	Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga
Date of birth	(1986-04-07) 7 April 1986 (age 39)
Place of birth	Sigatoka, Fiji
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	109 kg (17 st 2 lb; 240 lb)
School	Lelean Memorial School
Notable relative(s)	Kavekini Nalaga (father) Maleli Kunavore (cousin) Meli Kurisaru (brother) Waqa Nalaga (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing, Flanker, Centre Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2007–2011 Clermont Auvergne 90 (305) 2012 Western Force 11 (10) 2012–2015 Clermont Auvergne 80 (215) 2015–2017 Lyon OU 32 (110) 2017–2018 London Irish 5 (5) 2019 Penza 1 (0) 2020 Olimpia Lions () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2006 Fiji u21 2 (5) 2009–2015 Fiji 18 (55) 2008 Pacific Islanders 1 (0) Correct as of 1 January 2020 National sevens team(s) Years Team Comps 2009 Fiji 2008–09

Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga (born April 7, 1986) is a famous rugby player from Fiji. He is often called "Napoleon," "Naps," or "Napo." He mainly plays as a wing, but can also play as a flanker or centre. His father, Kavekini Nalaga, was also a rugby wing for Fiji in the 1980s. Napolioni is known for his amazing try-scoring ability and powerful runs on the field.

Rugby Journey

Napolioni Nalaga was born in Sigatoka, Fiji. He started his rugby career playing as a wing for the Fiji Under 19 team. In one championship, he scored 7 tries in just 3 games! He also helped his local team, Nadroga, win the Under 21 competition two years in a row.

Early Career and Fiji Teams

In 2006, Napolioni was chosen for the Fiji Under 21 team. They played in the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship in France, where Fiji finished 9th. He played as a centre in that tournament. He also played for the senior Nadroga team in local competitions.

His great skills caught the eye of Waisale Serevi, who was the coach for the Fiji sevens team. Napolioni was selected to play for the Fiji sevens team in the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series.

Playing for Clermont Auvergne

After his first season with the Fiji sevens team, Napolioni signed a contract to play for ASM Clermont Auvergne in France. This was for the 2007–08 Top 14 season. He played alongside other Fijian stars like Vilimoni Delasau and Seremaia Bai.

Top Try Scorer

Napolioni quickly became a star at Clermont. In his first season (2007-2008), he was the top try-scorer in the competition with 16 tries! This was even better than the previous year's top scorer, Aurélien Rougerie. He continued his amazing try-scoring form in the 2008–09 Top 14 season, scoring 13 tries.

In October 2009, Napolioni was named the French Top 14 Player of the Year for the 2008-2009 season. He was also picked for the French Dream Team. The last Fijian to win this award was Rupeni Caucau in 2006.

Playing for Fiji National Team

Napolioni was chosen for the 30-member Fiji squad for the 2009 Autumn Internationals. He made his first appearance for the national team against Scotland on November 14.

Challenges and Comeback

In early 2011, Napolioni had to leave his club, Clermont, because of family matters. His contract with Clermont was ended in March 2011 because he couldn't confirm if he would return to France.

However, he was soon seen playing for Nadroga in a local rugby tournament in Fiji. His strong performance led to him being called up to the Fiji national team again. He joined the team to prepare for the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup. At the Rugby World Cup, he scored one try, just like his father did in the 1987 RWC.

Time with Western Force

In September 2011, Napolioni signed a one-year contract with an Australian team called Western Force. They play in the Super Rugby competition. He played 11 games for them and scored 2 tries.

Return to Clermont

In April 2012, after his time with Western Force, Napolioni signed a 3-year contract to return to his old club, Clermont.

Continued Success

After returning, Napolioni continued to be a key player for Clermont. By April 2013, he had played 25 games and was leading the try-scoring charts in both the 2012–13 Top 14 season and the 2012–13 Heineken Cup. He scored 19 tries in 25 games since his return, bringing his total for Clermont to 80 tries in 115 games.

On April 27, Napolioni scored an amazing solo try in the Heineken Cup semi-final against Munster. This helped his team reach the Grand Final. He scored another try in the final, but Clermont lost to Toulon. He finished that tournament with 8 tries.

In December 2013, he scored a try in just 18 seconds in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup. This was the fastest try ever in the 18-year history of the Heineken Cup! He ended that season with 5 tries and became the 10th highest try scorer in Heineken Cup history with 23 tries.

In October 2014, he scored two tries in the European Rugby Champions Cup against Sale Sharks. This took his total to 25 tries in 32 games in European club competitions, joining an "Elite 25 Try" club.

Moving to Lyon and London Irish

In December 2014, Napolioni signed a three-year contract with another French team, Toulon. However, in May 2015, Toulon changed their mind. This allowed Pierre Mignoni, who was becoming the coach for Lyon OU, to sign Napolioni instead.

He scored 14 tries in 12 games for Lyon in his first season before a thumb injury kept him out for two months. On June 2, 2017, he signed a contract with London Irish, a team in England's Premiership Rugby, after his contract with Lyon ended.

Achievements

• Top try scorer in the 2007–08 Top 14 season (16 tries)
• Top try scorer in the 2008–09 Top 14 season (21 tries)
• French Top 14 Player of the Year (2008–09)
• Included in the French Dream Team (2008–09)
• Won the Top 14 title with Clermont (2009–10)
• Scored the fastest try in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup (18 seconds)
• 6th Highest try scorer in Heineken Cup/European Rugby Champions Cup history

See also

In Spanish: Napolioni Nalaga para niños

• 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship
• 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series
• 2007–08 Top 14 season