Latest news with #Nadolo
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ex-England star George Burgess brutally smashes into rugby giant as the pair compete in bizarre new Aussie sport that's been blasted for its violent collisions
Former England and South Sydney Rabbitohs great George Burgess went toe-to-toe against Leicester Tigers legend Nemani Nadolo in a bizarre new Australian sport on Wednesday. RUNIT is one of the world's newest and most brutal collision sport that challenges two competitors to 'run it straight' at each other along a 20m track which is only four metres wide. With $20,000 on the line, two competitors will start at either end of the track, with one carrying the ball towards the other, who then attempts to stop the opponent by tackling them. The organisation says that RUNIT is the 'world's fiercest collision sport', with the athletes generating some jaw-dropping collisions in the middle of what's being dubbed the 'battlefield'. According to event managers, 'victory belongs to the one who dominates the collision.' Burgess, 33, who played his last game in the NRL for St George Illawarra three years ago, donned his boots again for the event, with the former prop, who won 15 caps for England between 2013 and 2018, squaring off against giant former winger, Nadolo, who stands at a towering 195cm and weighs approximately 302lbs. Nadolo, who was born in Fiji, enjoyed a decorated career in rugby union, with the winger turning out for Montpellier and Leicester, as well as the Crusaders in Super Rugby. He'd go on to be capped 30 times for Fiji, scoring a whopping 206 points and was renowned for his physicality, smashing through defensive lines on his route to the try line. The two goliaths stepped forward at the Melbourne Pavilion on Wednesday to participate in the event. Burgess, who is the brother of Sam and Tom Burgess, grabbed the footy and got down on one knee in a sprinting start position, before tearing away from the start line towards Nadolo, as the crowd - which included MMA star Tai Tuivasa - cheered them on. The pair met in the middle of the 'battlefield' and collided in an all-mighty bump but it was Burgess who was the victor, using his incredible strength to send Nadolo, 37, onto the floor. Despite the brutal nature of the collision, the former Tigers star quickly rose back to his feet. They went again, this time with Nadolo carrying the footy but Burgess proved too strong, stopping the former union star in his tracks. After the event he and the ex-Rabbitohs prop then embraced on the field, in what was a classy gesture between both competitors before heading backstage to share a cold beer. Burgess published a snap of the pair on his Instagram story, writing: Big respect to @Nemani_Nadolo. Biggest man I have ever tackled by far!' 'Like tackling a moving truck,' Nadolo replied. 'Respect brus.' After the event, Nadolo published several pictures on his Instagram account, with the caption: 'One of the scariest yet most fulfilling things I've done since retiring from the game. 'A huge thank you to RUNIT for giving me the opportunity to be part of an event that I know will only grow bigger in the future. On facing Burgess, Nadolo said he had to mentally prepare himself to face the rugby league hardman. 'Building up the mental courage to step in and go up against one of the toughest men in rugby league - none other than England's own George Burgess - is something I won't forget. I didn't get the win and that's completely fine. The biggest takeaway for me was the mental challenge of preparing on short notice for an event that demands such intense, physical tackling. That in itself was a big positive. 'Massive respect to all the contestants who took part and a big shoutout to Semi Osa for being crowned the champion, all the way from Ipswich!' He added: 'PS If anyone finds my shoulders at the Melbourne Pavillion, please DM me...' Semi Osa would go on to be crowned champion on the night and claim the $20k cash prize. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RUNIT CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE (@ Several stars from Australian sport have been involved in the event including Western Bulldogs star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona - but the latter has since split from the group. Despite that RUNIT has received some criticism from some over the dangers of the sport. A leading neuroscientist Dr Helen Murray - an expert on the subject of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) - expressed fears over the sport in relation to head injuries. 'From a CTE standpoint, we know that exposure to repeated head acceleration events is the biggest risk factor for CTE pathology, and therefore finding ways to reduce these impacts in contact sports is a priority for player safety,' Murray told the New Zealand Herald. 'It appears there is no attempt to mitigate head acceleration events in this activity and the risk of significant injury is high, given the intent to collide, so I do not support it.' CTE is a degenerative brain disease that is thought to be linked to individuals who have suffered repeated concussions and brain traumas. Symptoms can include short-term memory loss, issues with movement and general confusion. Another sports neuroscientist, Dr Alan Pearce said he was 'gobsmacked' upon seeing the competition starting up. 'I was pretty gobsmacked, speechless actually when I saw this competition idea starting because for me as someone who has seen hundreds of footballers and rugby league players who are now struggling with brain injury and long-term impairment, it is really troubling,' He told 'I just cannot understand how they could take the most violent aspect of sport and just turn it into a spectacle where the objective is just to try and knock out or hurt your opponent.' RUNIT organisers stressed that competitors must go through a screening process before being able to compete. Safety measures are also in place at their events. 'Yes, a knockout can potentially occur, but this is not the aim of our game,' RUNIT organisers said. 'The aim is to dominate contact - whether you bump someone over or land a good, clean hit. 'We disallow tackles below the waist and above the shoulders. A knockout, like any other combat sport, is a byproduct. 'Unlike any other combat sport, however, it is not our aim. View this post on Instagram A post shared by RUNIT CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE (@ Melbourne Storm enforcer Nelson Asofa-Solomona was a spokesman for RUNIT before he had a falling out with the organisation recently 'Athletes are screened by a doctor pre and post matches, medics are present, and medical waivers inclusive of drug and blood tests are completed prior to any participation.' The organisation have also distanced itself from individuals participating in similar events after a video went viral showing a man displaying concussion symptoms after competing in a similar challenge. RUNIT condemned the clip, stating: 'It highlights the level of differentiation between our league and these other backyard-type events.'
Telegraph
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Telegraph
Super Rugby slammed amid Fiji fury at players crammed into lorry before match
Former Fiji international Nemani Nadolo has slammed Super Rugby organisers after logistical foul-ups dogged the Fijian Drua on a recent trip to New Zealand to play the Wellington Hurricanes. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday that the Drua players were forced to jump into a truck hired to transport the team's baggage and equipment after their bus failed to turn up at the airport just before midnight on February 21. The following day, the newspaper reported, the Drua players - but not those of the Hurricanes - were forced to check out of their hotel hours before the kick-off in Napier, which they lost 38-34. 'Bear in mind every Super Rugby side that comes to Fiji will get police escort everywhere they go,' Nadolo, a world-class winger who played 30 times for his country, wrote in a post on X beneath a picture of the Drua players in the baggage truck. 'Yet this is a picture of a Super Rugby side that's sitting at the back of a truck going to their hotel in NZ. 'How is this even happening? Can you imagine if this was an Aussie or a NZ franchise side? Driving in the back of a truck at midnight after showing up to the airport to find out your team bus wasn't there. Please tell me this is a joke?' Bear in mind every Super Rugby side that comes to Fiji will get police escort everywhere they go. Yet this is a picture of a super rugby side that's sitting at the back of a truck going to their hotel in NZ!!!! DVC. #breaksme — nemzy (@nemani_nadolo) March 6, 2025 Fijian-born former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri also weighed in, telling Australian Associated Press that the mistreatment of the Drua players was 'unacceptable'. 'You can't expect a team to be treated that way,' Tuqiri said. 'They're not an under-11s or under-12s team ... they're a professional outfit and they should be treated accordingly.' Fijian Drua made the issues known to Super Rugby management, who said they had launched an immediate review. 'Several oversights and breakdowns in communication were identified which unfortunately created additional challenges for the Drua,' chief executive Jack Mesley told the SMH. 'Those issues have now been addressed with the clubs and an external transport provider. While it is disappointing to have these issues arise in our competition, it has given us the opportunity to assess and refine our team travel processes moving forward.' The Drua are unlikely to have any similar issues this weekend as they host the competition-leading Waikato Chiefs in Lautoka on Saturday.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-internationals condemn Super Rugby travel failures for Fijian Drua
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ex-internationals Lote Tuqiri and Nemani Nadolo have condemned Super Rugby organizational failures that led to the Fijian Drua squad traveling more than 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) in a luggage truck and having to check out of their hotel early on the day of their second-round match against the Hurricanes. The Drua arrived in Wellington, New Zealand near midnight on the day before the match and discovered the bus they'd booked to take them Napier, several hours away, had not arrived. Rather than wait three hours for a replacement bus, the team traveled to the hotel in a truck booked to take their luggage and equipment. The team was then forced to check out of the hotel early on the morning of the match, which kicked off at 4 p.m., while the Hurricanes were allowed a late checkout. News of the travel issues in late February became public this week when details of a letter written by the Drua to Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley emerged. Super Rugby is investigating the complaints. Tuqiri, who was born in Fiji but became a star of Australia's national rugby union and rugby league teams, called the treatment of the Drua 'unacceptable' and said it represented a 'lack of hospitality.' 'It's ridiculous,' Tuqiri told the Australian Associated Press. 'You'd think the organizers would have it sorted given how old the competition is. It's not like a new competition. 'It was probably not meant, but it's unacceptable. They're a professional outfit and they should be treated accordingly.' Nadolo, who has played 30 tests for Fiji and played Super Rugby for the Crusaders and Hurricanes, posted a photo on social media of the Drua players crammed into the enclosed rear of the truck with their luggage. 'How is this even happening?' Nadolo said. 'What frustrates me the most is that after a long flight the team arrives at the airport only to find that their bus is nowhere to be seen. Instead of waiting another three hours for it to arrive, the boys jump in the back of a truck to get to the hotel. 'Every time a Super Rugby franchise visits Fiji they're treated like royalty with police escorts and top-tier hospitality. Can you imagine an Australian or New Zealand team ever being put through something like this?' The Drua lost to the Hurricanes 38-34, conceding a last-minute try. ___ AP rugby:
Reuters
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Fijian great Nadolo slams treatment of Drua players on NZ trip
March 7 (Reuters) - Former Fiji international Nemani Nadolo has slammed Super Rugby organisers after logistical foul-ups dogged the Fijian Drua on a recent trip to New Zealand to play the Wellington Hurricanes. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Thursday that the Drua players were forced to jump into a truck hired to transport the team's baggage and equipment after their bus failed to turn up at the airport just before midnight on February 21. The following day, the newspaper reported, the Drua players -- but not those of the Hurricanes -- were forced to check out of their hotel hours before the kickoff of the match in Napier, which they lost 38-34. "Bear in mind every Super Rugby side that comes to Fiji will get police escort everywhere they go," Nadolo, a world-class winger who played 30 times for his country, wrote in a post on X beneath a picture of the Drua players in the baggage truck. "Yet this is a picture of a Super Rugby side that's sitting at the back of a truck going to their hotel in NZ. "How is this even happening? Can you imagine if this was an Aussie or a NZ franchise side? Driving in the back of a truck at midnight after showing up to the airport to find out your team bus wasn't there. Please tell me this a joke?" Fijian-born former Wallabies winger Lote Tuqiri also weighed in, telling Australian Associated Press that the mistreatment of the Drua players was "unacceptable". "You can't expect a team to be treated that way," Tuqiri said. "They're not an under-11s or under-12s team ... they're a professional outfit and they should be treated accordingly." Fijian Drua made the issues known to Super Rugby management, who said they had launched an immediate review. "Several oversights and breakdowns in communication were identified which unfortunately created additional challenges for the Drua," chief executive Jack Mesley told the SMH. "Those issues have now been addressed with the clubs and an external transport provider. While it is disappointing to have these issues arise in our competition, it has given us the opportunity to assess and refine our team travel processes moving forward." The Drua are unlikely to have any similar issues this weekend as they host the competition-leading Waikato Chiefs in Lautoka on Saturday.
Associated Press
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Ex-internationals condemn Super Rugby travel failures for Fijian Drua
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Ex-internationals Lote Tuqiri and Nemani Nadolo have condemned Super Rugby organizational failures that led to the Fijian Drua squad traveling more than 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) in a luggage truck and having to check out of their hotel early on the day of their second-round match against the Hurricanes. The Drua arrived in Wellington, New Zealand near midnight on the day before the match and discovered the bus they'd booked to take them Napier, several hours away, had not arrived. Rather than wait three hours for a replacement bus, the team traveled to the hotel in a truck booked to take their luggage and equipment. The team was then forced to check out of the hotel early on the morning of the match, which kicked off at 4 p.m., while the Hurricanes were allowed a late checkout. News of the travel issues in late February became public this week when details of a letter written by the Drua to Super Rugby chief executive Jack Mesley emerged. Super Rugby is investigating the complaints. Tuqiri, who was born in Fiji but became a star of Australia's national rugby union and rugby league teams, called the treatment of the Drua 'unacceptable' and said it represented a 'lack of hospitality.' 'It's ridiculous,' Tuqiri told the Australian Associated Press. 'You'd think the organizers would have it sorted given how old the competition is. It's not like a new competition. 'It was probably not meant, but it's unacceptable. They're a professional outfit and they should be treated accordingly.' Nadolo, who has played 30 tests for Fiji and played Super Rugby for the Crusaders and Hurricanes, posted a photo on social media of the Drua players crammed into the enclosed rear of the truck with their luggage. 'How is this even happening?' Nadolo said. 'What frustrates me the most is that after a long flight the team arrives at the airport only to find that their bus is nowhere to be seen. Instead of waiting another three hours for it to arrive, the boys jump in the back of a truck to get to the hotel. 'Every time a Super Rugby franchise visits Fiji they're treated like royalty with police escorts and top-tier hospitality. Can you imagine an Australian or New Zealand team ever being put through something like this?' The Drua lost to the Hurricanes 38-34, conceding a last-minute try. ___
