Napolioni Nalaga facts for kids
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| Birth name | Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 7 April 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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) |
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Napolioni Vonowale Nalaga, born on April 7, 1986, is a famous rugby player from Fiji. He is known for playing as a wing, but he can also play as a flanker or centre. People often call him 'Napoleon', 'Naps', or 'Napo'. His father, Kavekini Nalaga, was also a rugby player for Fiji in the 1980s. Just like his son, he played on the wing.
Contents
Rugby Journey
Napolioni Nalaga was born in Sigatoka, Fiji. He started his rugby career as a wing for the Fiji Under 19 team. In the Under 19 Rugby World Championship, he scored 7 tries in just 3 games. This was a great start to his career.
He also helped his local team, Nadroga, win the Under 21 competition. They won the Digicel Cup two years in a row. Later, he was chosen for the Fiji Under 21 team. They played in the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship in France. Fiji finished 9th overall in that tournament.
Playing for Fiji Sevens
Nalaga also played for the Nadroga senior team. He played in the Digicel Cup and the Farebrother Sullivan cup. His skills caught the eye of the Fiji sevens team coach, Waisale Serevi. Nalaga was then selected for the Fiji sevens team. He joined them for the first part of the 2006–07 IRB Sevens World Series.
Time with Clermont Rugby
After his first season with the Fiji sevens team, Napolioni Nalaga signed a contract. He joined ASM Clermont Auvergne for the 2007-2008 season. He played alongside other Fijian players like Vilimoni Delasau and Seremaia Bai. In his first season, he was the top try-scorer in the competition. He scored 16 tries, which was 3 more than the previous year's top scorer.
Playing for Pacific Islanders
In 2008, Nalaga was chosen for the Pacific Islanders team. They went on a tour to Britain and Ireland. He played against France on November 15, 2008. During this game, he received a red card and was suspended for 22 days. After his suspension, he returned to play for Clermont in the Heineken Cup.
He continued to be a top try-scorer in the Top 14 with 13 tries. He was also selected for the Fiji sevens team again. This time, it was for the 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai. He finished the 2008–09 Top 14 season as the top try scorer. He scored 21 tries in 19 games, breaking his own record from the year before.
Awards and Championships
In October 2009, Napolioni Nalaga was named the French Top 14 player of the year. This was for his amazing performance in the 2008-2009 season. He was also included in the French Dream Team. The last Fijian to win this award before him was Rupeni Caucau in 2006.
He played in the final when Clermont won the Top 14 title in the 2009-2010 season. He even scored a try in that important match.
Representing Fiji
Napolioni Nalaga was chosen for the 30-member Fiji squad. This was for the 2009 Autumn Internationals. He made his first appearance for the national team against Scotland on November 14.
In early 2011, he did not return to his club, Clermont, for the second half of the Top 14 season. This was due to some family matters. His contract with Clermont was ended in March 2011 because he could not confirm his return to France.
After some time, he was seen playing in a local rugby tournament in Fiji. He played for Nadroga in the Digicel Cup in May 2011. His strong performance led to him being called up to the Fiji national team again. He prepared for the 2011 IRB Pacific Nations Cup and the 2011 Rugby World Cup. He scored one try at the Rugby World Cup, just like his father did in the 1987 RWC.
Playing for Western Force
In September 2011, Napolioni Nalaga signed a one-year contract. He joined the Australian Super rugby team, Western Force, for the 2012 Super Rugby season. He scored 2 tries in 11 games during his time with Western Force.
Return to Clermont
In April 2012, Napolioni Nalaga signed a new 3-year contract. He decided to return to his old club, Clermont, after the Super Rugby season ended.
By April 13, 2013, Nalaga had played 25 games for Clermont. He played in both the 2012–13 Top 14 season and the 2012–13 Heineken Cup. He was the leading try-scorer in both, with 13 and 6 tries respectively. Since his return, he scored 19 tries in 25 games. This brought his total to 80 tries in 115 games for Clermont.
On April 27, Nalaga scored a solo try in the Heineken Cup semi-final. This helped his team reach the Grand Final of the Heineken Cup. He scored a try in the final, but Clermont did not win the championship. He finished the 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. He is also 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. This brought his total to 25 tries in 32 ERC games. He joined the special 'Elite 25 Try' club.
Moving to Lyon
In December 2014, Napolioni Nalaga signed a three-year contract with another French Top 14 team, Toulon. However, in May 2015, Toulon changed their mind. This allowed Pierre Mignoni, who was becoming the head coach for Lyon, to sign Nalaga. So, Nalaga joined Lyon OU for the next season.
He scored 14 tries in 12 games for Lyon in his first season. Unfortunately, a thumb injury kept him out of play for two months.
Playing for London Irish
On June 2, 2017, Napolioni Nalaga signed a contract with London Irish. This team had just been promoted to the Premiership Rugby league. He joined them after his 2-year contract with Lyon ended.
Achievements and Awards
Napolioni Nalaga has achieved many great things in his rugby career:
- 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)
- Winner of the Top 14 title (2009–10)
- Scored the Fastest Try in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup (18 seconds)
- 6th Highest try scorer in Heineken Cup/ERC 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
