Leone Nakarawa, a native of Tavua, Fiji, secured the nation's inaugural Olympic medal in any discipline during the 2016 Summer Games. As a lock and rugby union professional, he earned recognition for his field mobility and offloading statistics while representing various top-tier European clubs and the Fiji national team throughout his extended career.
Early Career and International Debut
Born on 2 April 1988, Nakarawa entered the international arena on 13 June 2009 against Tonga in Nuku'alofa. During the 2011 Rugby World Cup held in New Zealand, the government granted a specific exemption to permit his entry despite standing bans on Fiji Military personnel at that time. He eventually resigned from his military post to prioritize his development as a second-row forward.
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Take the IQ test →Tenure at Glasgow Warriors
Nakarawa signed with the Glasgow Warriors in August 2013, eventually becoming Warrior No. 224. During the 2014–15 season, he recorded 25 offloads in the European Rugby Champions Cup and secured the Pro12 title. He earned Man of the Match honors in the 2015 Pro12 Grand Final in Belfast. Following a period playing for Racing 92, he returned to Glasgow in January 2020 on a short-term contract that was later extended.
Transition and Contractual Challenges
In December 2019, Racing 92 terminated his contract, citing an alleged lack of team spirit and failure to return from international duty following the World Cup. Subsequent attempts to play for Ulster in 2021 were cancelled in June after a medical examination. He subsequently signed with Toulon that same month. During his career, he also represented the amateur side Glasgow Hawks.
Olympic and National Accolades
Nakarawa was a pivotal member of the Fiji rugby sevens squad that defeated Great Britain 43–7 in the 2016 Olympic final, where he scored a try. In addition to his gold medal, he holds four Pacific Nations Cup titles earned between 2015 and 2018. Following his Olympic performance, he was named an Officer of the Order of Fiji and was awarded the EPCR Player of the Year in 2018.
Fast facts
- Born: 2 April 1988, Tavua, Fiji
- Primary Position: Lock
- Olympic Gold: 2016, Rugby Sevens
- EPCR Player of the Year: 2018
- Pro12 Title: 2014–15, Glasgow Warriors
- International Debut: 13 June 2009
- Honour: Officer of the Order of Fiji
- Previous Clubs: Glasgow Warriors, Racing 92, Ulster, Toulon
Questions readers ask
What is Nakarawa's most significant achievement with the Fiji national team?
He helped the Fiji rugby sevens team win the nation's first-ever Olympic medal by securing gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
Why did his contract with Ulster fall through?
The club decided not to proceed with his signing in June 2021 after receiving a detailed medical report following an examination.
Achievements
- Represented Glasgow Warriors and Fiji national rugby union team
- Competed at rugby sevens at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Discipline: rugby union and rugby sevens
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