The Crusaders' unstoppable winger Nemani Nadolo has been brought to tears as he returned home to help with the recovery following Cyclone Winston in Fiji.
The cyclone tore through the country inflicting extensive damage on many islands and killed 43 people last month. Unicef says 51,000 people are stillin shelters with many others staying with relatives.
Nemani Nadolo has taken some time off training to return home and help the people of Fiji. Photo / Facebook.
Nadolo returned to his devastated home country this week - and couldn't hold back the emotion as he surveyed the extensive damage and helped with the recovery effort.
"Couldn't hold back my tears when I saw this," he said on Instagram. "Kids were playing outside of what was left of their homes."
Nadolo acknowledged his Crusaders club for giving him the green light to come home to Fiji.
"This couldn't be possible without the help from the Crusaders and finding it in their hearts to let me go home and be with my people in their time of need."
Four members of the Crusaders squad have strong Fijian links - Nemani Nadolo, Jone Macilai, Alex Hodgman and Ben Volavola.
Ahead of Nadolo's trip they raised funds and awareness about the devastating cyclone by auctioning off four jerseys and calling on Crusaders fans to donate at home games.
"It seriously touched my heart when I saw young kids giving me money and saying 'hope your family & people are ok?'," explained Nadolo.
"You may think it isn't much but to me it's a massive thing.. Vinaka vaka levu... people of Christchurch are really something else."
