WAISAKE NAHOLO MUST be cursing his luck after being sidelined with another leg break.
The Fiji-born powerhouse made the headlines last year after he was included in the New Zealand World Cup squad despite suffering a broken leg just six weeks before the tournament was due to begin.
Traditional Fijian medicine helped the speedster make a remarkable recovery from the injury he suffered while making his debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in the Rugby Championship last July.
But the Highlanders wing is now facing another spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in the same leg in the reigning Super Rugby champions’s first game of the season, against Tana Umaga’s Blues last weekend.
The 24-year-old is set to miss about two months of action which comes as a major blow for the Highlanders, who went down 33-31 as their season got under way in Auckland.
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A destructive winger capable of the sublime, Naholo has become one of the competition’s biggest stars.
Many called for his inclusion in the All Blacks squad last year following his devastating performances for the Highlanders.
And he got his chance in the Rugby Championship against the Pumas, just two months before the World Cup was due to kick off, when disaster struck; his leg break ruling him out for three months.
But Naholo returned home to receive traditional Fijian treatment from his uncle, a specialist in the field. Leaves known as kawakawarau were placed on Naholo’s leg for four days and when they were removed, the injury was healed.
Naholo missed New Zealand’s opening World Cup fixtures against Argentina and Namibia but featured in later group games against Georgia and Tonga.
As the tournament progressed he played second fiddle to right wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, with Julian Savea locked in on the left, and Naholo didn’t feature for Steve Hansen’s side in the knockout stages.
Naholo’s latest injury isn’t as serious as the one he sustained prior to the World Cup. And he won’t be seeking traditional therapy in Fiji this time around.
He might have miracle recovery powers but All Black Naholo seems to be cursed with leg breaks
WAISAKE NAHOLO MUST be cursing his luck after being sidelined with another leg break.
The Fiji-born powerhouse made the headlines last year after he was included in the New Zealand World Cup squad despite suffering a broken leg just six weeks before the tournament was due to begin.
Traditional Fijian medicine helped the speedster make a remarkable recovery from the injury he suffered while making his debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in the Rugby Championship last July.
But the Highlanders wing is now facing another spell on the sidelines after breaking a bone in the same leg in the reigning Super Rugby champions’s first game of the season, against Tana Umaga’s Blues last weekend.
The 24-year-old is set to miss about two months of action which comes as a major blow for the Highlanders, who went down 33-31 as their season got under way in Auckland.
A destructive winger capable of the sublime, Naholo has become one of the competition’s biggest stars.
Many called for his inclusion in the All Blacks squad last year following his devastating performances for the Highlanders.
And he got his chance in the Rugby Championship against the Pumas, just two months before the World Cup was due to kick off, when disaster struck; his leg break ruling him out for three months.
But Naholo returned home to receive traditional Fijian treatment from his uncle, a specialist in the field. Leaves known as kawakawarau were placed on Naholo’s leg for four days and when they were removed, the injury was healed.
Naholo missed New Zealand’s opening World Cup fixtures against Argentina and Namibia but featured in later group games against Georgia and Tonga.
As the tournament progressed he played second fiddle to right wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, with Julian Savea locked in on the left, and Naholo didn’t feature for Steve Hansen’s side in the knockout stages.
Naholo’s latest injury isn’t as serious as the one he sustained prior to the World Cup. And he won’t be seeking traditional therapy in Fiji this time around.
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Al Blacks can't catch a break Highlanders New Zealand Waisake Naholo