Naholo to play for Canterbury
Former All Black Waisake Naholo has signed with Canterbury for their upcoming NPC campaign with an eye on returning to Super Rugby.
One of nine new players named in the red and blacks’ 32-man squad, Naholo trained with his troublesome right-knee strapped during the team’s training session in Christchurch yesterday.
The 30-year-old Fijian-born wing played the last of his 27 tests in 2018, before leaving for London Irish at the end of 2019.
Naholo was released by London Irish after an injury plagued stint limited him to just four appearances across two campaigns.
Australian pivot Jack Debreczeni and Samoan No 8 Henry Stowers are also new faces in the squad, which includes 27 players who have played club rugby in Canterbury and gone through the Canterbury/Crusaders academies or age group representative teams.
Naholo admitted he approached Taranaki, who he played 35 games for between 2011 and 2019, before signing with Canterbury.
‘‘It came around real quick [the deal]. I didn’t get much interest from anywhere else,’’ he said. ‘‘I obviously asked there first. I’m from up there. I was keen to go back there, but they’ve got a good crew up there already. ‘‘
Naholo is one of two former Taranaki wings in Canterbury’s squad, with Western Force-bound Manasa Mataele set to leave New Zealand after the NPC.
He wasn’t a full participant at training yesterday, but is optimistic he will be ready to go in time for Canterbury’s season-opener, against Auckland, at Eden Park on August 8.
Stringing as many minutes together as possible remains at the front of his mind, but Naholo made it clear he has aspirations to again play Super Rugby.
‘‘I’d like to play Super Rugby again, I enjoyed playing Super Rugby and hopefully NPC goes well for me and if that happens it happens.’’
Naholo played 62 games for the Highlanders between 2015 and 2019, and the Dunedin-based franchise has holes to fill ahead of 2022.
Canterbury co-coach Mark Brown said the team was willing to be patient with Naholo, who isn’t expected to front against Tasman in their pre-season match in Hanmer tomorrow.
‘‘It’s not often you get to welcome someone of that calibre of player into the squad, with his NPC and Super experience, and obviously the great contribution he made to the All Blacks. We’re very fortunate, and it’s exciting for the whole group.’’
Naholo downplayed the knee injury which has been labelled as chronic, saying it felt ‘‘good’’ after training.
Japan-bound loose forwards Whetukamokamo Douglas and Tom Sanders are notable omissions from Canterbury’s squad this year, while they’ll also have to get by without the injured Tom Christie and Mitchell Dunshea.