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Cape Town - The Crusaders have included giant Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo in their squad for next year's Super Rugby competition.
Nadolo, 25, currently plays for NEC Green Rockets in Japan and at 1.95m and 130kg will take some stopping.
He has represented Fiji in eight Tests and previously spent a season in Super Rugby with the Waratahs in 2009.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, in an interview with the TVNZ website, said Nadolo will be one of the most exciting prospects in next year's competition.
Blackadder described him as an "absolute hulk of a man", but also said he was impressed with the speed he possesses for such a big man, drawing comparisons with former All Black wing Jonah Lomu.
Nadolo is one of five newcomers in the Crusaders squad for 2014.
Also among the newcomers is a familiar face in flyhalf Colin Slade who returns having last played for the Crusaders in 2010 after spending two seasons with the Highlanders.
Also returning to his roots in joining the Crusaders squad is prop Tim Perry who played for the Blues this year.
The other newcomers are Mitchell Drummond (scrumhalf), Rey Lee-Lo (centre).
Meanwhile, All Black flyhalf Dan Carter was listed but will not be available until after June because he has been granted a six-month sabbatical.
Carter's extended leave was the reason Slade was recruited from the Highlanders.
Crusaders squad:
Dominic Bird, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Nepo Laulala, Rey Lee-Lo, Richie McCaw, Johnny McNicholl, Joe Moody, Nemani Nadolo, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
Wider training group: Jed Brown, Kieron Fonotia, Mike Kainga, Rob Thompson.
Nadolo, 25, currently plays for NEC Green Rockets in Japan and at 1.95m and 130kg will take some stopping.
He has represented Fiji in eight Tests and previously spent a season in Super Rugby with the Waratahs in 2009.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder, in an interview with the TVNZ website, said Nadolo will be one of the most exciting prospects in next year's competition.
Blackadder described him as an "absolute hulk of a man", but also said he was impressed with the speed he possesses for such a big man, drawing comparisons with former All Black wing Jonah Lomu.
Nadolo is one of five newcomers in the Crusaders squad for 2014.
Also among the newcomers is a familiar face in flyhalf Colin Slade who returns having last played for the Crusaders in 2010 after spending two seasons with the Highlanders.
Also returning to his roots in joining the Crusaders squad is prop Tim Perry who played for the Blues this year.
The other newcomers are Mitchell Drummond (scrumhalf), Rey Lee-Lo (centre).
Meanwhile, All Black flyhalf Dan Carter was listed but will not be available until after June because he has been granted a six-month sabbatical.
Carter's extended leave was the reason Slade was recruited from the Highlanders.
Crusaders squad:
Dominic Bird, Tyler Bleyendaal, Daniel Carter, Wyatt Crockett, Ryan Crotty, Israel Dagg, Mitchell Drummond, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Owen Franks, Ben Funnell, Zac Guildford, Willi Heinz, Nepo Laulala, Rey Lee-Lo, Richie McCaw, Johnny McNicholl, Joe Moody, Nemani Nadolo, Tim Perry, Kieran Read, Luke Romano, Colin Slade, Jordan Taufua, Codie Taylor, Tom Taylor, Matt Todd, Jimmy Tupou, Adam Whitelock, George Whitelock, Luke Whitelock, Sam Whitelock.
Wider training group: Jed Brown, Kieron Fonotia, Mike Kainga, Rob Thompson.
