Nemani Nadolo will leave the Crusaders after next year’s Vodacom Super Rugby tournament to join Jake White’s Montpellier.

During his first season with the Crusaders in 2014, Nadolo finished the competition as the joint top try-scorer as he dotted down 12 times, while he scored nine more tries in this year’s campaign.

Nadolo said he would forever be indebted to the Crusaders as he prepared for a final season in Christchurch.

‘They kick-started my career, they've given me the passion and love for the game again. They've pretty much moulded me into the player I am today.’

Chief executive Hamish Riach paid tribute to Nadolo for the contribution he had made at the Crusaders.

‘It was clear that [France] is where the next phase of his career is going to be. We wish him all the very best with it. We're delighted he chose to spend three years of his rugby life in Christchurch. He will be a difficult man to replace but that's our job. He's a unique man with the size, the agility, the speed and power [he has].’

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