Rugby Union: NSW Waratahs stint has Fijian Luke Nadurutalo Super fit for Wildfires

Fijian centre Luke Nadurutalo has returned to the Wildfires after spending three months training fulltime with the Super Rugby outfit in Sydney.

After playing predominantly rugby league since 2014, Nadurutalo's stint at "summer school" has the Fiji Bati representative ready to make an instant impact at the Wildfires. starting with a pre-season hit-out against Manly at Marcellin Park on Saturday.

"It was awesome for us because the Waratahs got him fit and his rugby IQ has gone through the roof," Coleman said. "He had top-end players around him and they play at a high pace. It really accelerated his learning."

Nadurutalo will start at inside centre against the Marlins and have another two hit-outs against West Harbour and Western Sydney before the Shute Shield kicks off on April 2.

Although back at the Wildfires, the tackle-busting 29-year-old is still in the frame for the Tahs if injuries strike.

"Super Rugby goes until round six of the Shute Shield," Coleman said. "Luke's challenge is to make an instant impact for us. He was a little discouraged at first after coming back. Now he is settled and his family have moved up.

"He is a massive human and will cause the defence problems. His is a genuine line breaker and has an incredible offload."

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The trial with the Marlins, which will be preceded by a junior coaching clinic, is the Wildfires' third.

Tongan international Penikolo Latu is out with a minor shoulder injury while countrymen Nafi Tuitavake rolled his ankle at their boot camp last weekend and is in doubt.

"We will reward the guys who have been here all pre-season," Coleman said. "It is still close to our strongest side. We are playing four 20-minute periods and looking to give everyone 60-70 minutes.

"We have done more work on our scrums and lineouts and it will be good to see where we are at with them. It is also a test of the basic things like kick receives and defensive patterns.

Coleman said the two-day boot camp had brought the squad together.

"It was awesome. The boys really opened up and connected," Coleman said.

Wildfires: 1 Isi Fukofuka, 2 Phil Bradford, 3 Nella Tangulu, 4 Jordy Magner, 5 Rob Puli'uvea, 6 John Martin-Stewart, 7 Donny Freeman, 8 Tiueti Asi, 9 Leon Fukofuka, 10 Connor Winchester, 11 Issac Ulberg, 12 Luke Nadurutalo, 13 Tom Watson, 14 Nafi Tuitavake, 15 Will Feeney.

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