Fijian cure works for Naholo

A TRADITIONAL Fijian healing technique involving leaves has seemingly done what Western medicine could not – healed a broken leg in four weeks, allowing the All Blacks to select winger Waisake Naholo in their World Cup squad.

Naholo was picked in front of seasoned stars Israel Dagg, Cory Jane and Charles Piutau as one of three wingers in the All Blacks’ 31-man squad weeks after fracturing his leg.

He had essentially been r ruled out when he reportedly cracked his fibula while playing in his debut Test on July 17, an injury supposed to lay him low for three months.

Naholo went to his home village, Nadroumai, in the southwestern region of Nadrog ga, where his uncle Isei Naiova promised to cure him in time for the tournament.

Naholo told SkySport New Zealand last night after being unveiled as part of the All Blacks’ squad: “Everybody was talking about my leg in there, it was just one thing I really wanted to do so I could be able to be a part of this.”

All Blacks coach Steve Hans sen had previously suggested he was considering Naholo as a shock selection for his squad after the Bledisloe Cup, warning the Kiwi public not to dism miss traditional medicine.

Naholo will not be available to play until New Zealand’s third pool match, against Georgia on October 3.

The selections of one-Test Naholo, and two-Test whiz kid Nehe Milner-Skudder as the wing options alongside Julian Savea has led some to question i if there is enough experience in t the position.

The Fiji Times reported that u uncle Naiova had massaged his nephew’s leg and applied traditional leaves known as kawakawarau to the area around the fibula.