Super Rugby: Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo says he was racially abused after final defeat to Waratahs

Winger says incident happened while out with team-mates on Saturday night

Agency
Monday 04 August 2014 15:49 BST
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Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo says he was racially abused
Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo says he was racially abused (Getty Images)

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The Crusaders winger Nemani Nadolo says he’s been racially abused.

Nadolo, whose power on the left wing was a key factor in taking the Crusaders to last Saturday’s Super Rugby final, took to Twitter to outline his frustration.

“After all I’ve done to contribute to tis lovely city of christchurch to be called a UN FIT CHUBBY NIGGA is disappointing #hurtful,” the Fijian-born winger said. It is believed the incident happened when Nadolo was out with team-mates on Sunday evening in Christchurch.

“It was just an idiot, someone from the general public made some pretty degrading and derogatory racial slurs,” said the Crusaders coach, Todd Blackadder said. “It’s always really disappointing. These things really hurt and shouldn’t be condoned or tolerated by anyone.”

Nadolo received several supporting tweets in reply, with former Blues player Ben Atiga saying he was disgusted but not surprised. “One of my first outings there was quite similar,” he said.

The former Warriors captain Monty Betham attributed the quote to “the blinded minority”.

“New Zealand LOVES you. #YoureTheMan and started the Crusader resurgence this year,” he said.

Others were more supportive of Christchurch, with Steve Sheere saying “That’s NOT what 99.999% of ppl in #chch think”.

Nadolo later added “Thank u 2 all 4 the kind tweets. whatever has been said is said. I’m just blessed 2 b here. not gonna let one person ruin it. #movingon”.

A Crusaders management spokeswoman could not be contacted for comment on Monday.

Nadolo scored a try in the Crusaders’ narrow loss to the Waratahs in Saturday’s Super Rugby final in Sydney.

Australian Associated Press

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