Huge blow for Leinster as Nacewa set to return home

According to a report in today’s Irish Times, Leinster star Isa Nacewa has decided to return home to New Zealand at the end of the season and retire from professional rugby.

By Declan Whooley

In news that will come as a huge blow to the current Heineken Cup champions, the once-capped Fiji international has decided to return home for family reasons and will retire completely from the game.

According to the report, Leinster have known about his wishes for a while, and despite attempts to change his mind given the departure of Jonny Sexton, the 30 year-old has decided to end his highly successful five year stay in Ireland.

He will return to Auckland at the end of the season with his three young Irish-born daughters and wife Simone, and while Leinster have been linked with Australian back Drew Mitchell, it is thought they have identified a South African replacement.

The New Zealander had stated in the past that it would be down to his wife’s wishes and where she wanted their children to go to school before any decision could be made.

The loss of Nacewa will be huge. Comfortable across any position in the backs, he has been a model of consistency, best demonstrated by the fact that since making his Heineken Cup debut as a substitute against Castres, he has started the last 37 consecutive games in the competition.

A brilliant attacking full-back, safe under a high ball and a deadly finisher, his place kicking has also given the side an extra dimension. With Sexton departing for France, and to a lesser extent Andrew Conway leaving for Munster and Fionn Carr returning to Connacht, the Leinster squad will require bolstering in the summer.

If Nacewa does leave, his five years and three Heineken Cups represent one of the most successful imports ever to play on these shores.