The Daily Telegraph: GIANT winger Nemani Nadolo says keeping the NSW No. 11 jersey in the family would be nice - but any old number will do if it gets him a Super 14 debut for the Waratahs.

The cousin of former Waratahs left wing Lote Tuqiri, Nadolo turned in a strong audition to replace his departed relative with a powerful performance against the Fiji Warriors in Orange.

Nadolo - who recently changed his name from Ratu Nasiganiyavi to honour his mum - made the most of a late call-up for Drew Mitchell by scoring a steamroller try and busting Fijian tackles all night.

For the first time oft-made comparisons between Nadolo and Jonah Lomu weren't just limited to his 120kg, 196cm frame.

Like the Kiwi great, Nadolo owned his left flank but also went looking for mid-field bursts and gave Tahs coach Chris Hickey plenty to think about if he's considering a high-impact Tuqiri-style ball-carrier.

Nadolo's performance helped restore his confidence after a foot injury sidelined him in his first year on contract with the Waratahs last year. Signed in 2008 after devastating form for Randwick in 2008, Nadolo only played his first match for NSW three weeks ago.

"It is what we have expected of him and really good to see him put that on the park. I am sure he will take a lot of confidence from that game tonight. One game is one game and he must do it again, but he is more than capable of performing at that level every week," Hickey said.

Boosted by a pre-match phone call from Tuqiri in London, Nadolo said he hoped to have earned another chance to show Hickey what he can do with the battle for back-three spots heating up between himself, Mitchell, Lachie Turner, Sosene Anesi and Peter Betham.

"It was a blessing to be given an opportunity," Nadolo said.

"It is not every day you get to play for your state.

"I am grateful to be part of the top squad still, and to get another opportunity to prove myself."

02 Febuary, 2010