NEMANI Nadolo always had the potential to be a world-class star as an up-and-comer in Australia and it was unfortunate Waratahs coaches didn't believe in the 127kg winger enough to keep him. 
That's the view of Wallabies prop Sekope Kepu, who counts the giant Fijian winger as a good friend after the pair played together at Randwick and NSW dating back to 2009.
Nadolo was a standout for Fiji in their gallant loss to Eng-land in the World Cup opener, scoring one try, making strong breaks and even kicking goals.
The comparisons with Jonah Lomu often made finally started to feel legitimate after the 27-year-old continued his stellar Super Rugby form for the Crusaders on the biggest stage in world rugby.
The Wallabies' hopes of a smooth victory against Fiji on Thursday in Cardiff will rest on keeping Nadolo quiet but there will also be a "sliding doors" question mark posed when the Brisbane-born danger man plays against Australia.
Nadolo played for the Australian under-20s in 2008 and spent three years in Sydney club rugby and in the Waratahs academy, until 2010. He played for the Tahs in trials but never got a Super Rugby debut.
Nadolo left to play overseas - and for Fiji - and after stints in England, France and then Japan was signed by the Crusaders last year. He has dominated since, topping the try-scoring list for two seasons.
"We played at Randwick -together and I look back and he was always that player," Kepu said."It was just unfortunate in 2011 when (then Waratahs coaches) Chris Hickey and Michael Foley didn't want him, so he left. He's still a good mate of mine and to see his progress with what he's done to go to Japan and come back and play for the Crusaders now and do really well, that's a credit to him and his ability."