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ESPN staff
Fiji star Nemani Nadolo has revealed he has hung up the Fiji jersey just eight months out from the Rugby World Cup in an emotional Instagram post.
Nadolo revealed both on-field and off-field issues had led to the decision to step away from international duties, but said he looked forward to continuing to prove himself with French club side Montpellier.
A 30-match Test star, Nadolo missed selection for the Fiji squad for the 2018 November International Series.
Nadolo has been a strong voice behind the push to get Fiji involved in more international matches as well as pushing the inclusion of a combined Pacific Nations team in Super Rugby.
A hard running win, Nadolo played a huge role for Fiji, scoring 19 tries in his international career including one try against England in their opening match of the 2015 World Cup.
Moving to Queensland, Australia at a young age, Nadolo represented local sides in both Queensland and New South Wales, before he was selected in the Australia Under-20 side in 2008 and was signed by the Waratahs. After he struggled to make an impact with the Super Rugby side he later signed with French Top 14 team Bourgoin-Jallieu for the 2010-11 season and chose to represent his home nation on the international stage.
Nadolo returned to Super Rugby for the Crusaders in 2014 and made a huge impact on the competition, becoming equal top try scorer alongside Israel Folau with 12 tries in 12 starts. He signed on for a further two seasons and finished his career at the Crusaders with 27 tries in 40 games, before he returned to France with Montpellier.
Despite missing the side in 2018, the loss of the big ball-running wing could put a big dent in Fiji’s World Cup preparations, especially as they take on Australia in their opening match of the tournament in a 2015 World Cup replay and look to make the quarter-finals for the first time since 2007.