Naholo to return for Force clash
Star Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo is expected to be fit to play against the Western Force in Perth next week.
Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph confirmed the Super Rugby competition’s leading tryscorer had bruised a foot against the Brumbies three weeks ago and would sit out Sunday’s game against the Cheetahs having played every minute of every game during his breakout season in Dunedin.
Naholo, who turned 24 this month, is eager to be released from a two-year deal he signed with French club Clermont.
It is understood the New Zealand Rugby Union is working to keep Naholo, who has scored eight tries in 11 appearances this season.
‘‘Things have gone from strength to strength, he’s played really well, he’s scored lots of tries,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘It’s clear that we really want to keep him. With his decision made prematurely before the season even started, we are really keen to keep him and he’s really keen to stay now.
‘‘With that in mind I’m hopeful that we’ll be successful in the next couple of weeks.’’
Joseph said he could understand why Naholo had opted for a move overseas after an uncertain time with the Blues before being enticed to the Highlanders.
‘‘He’s only a young guy and he hadn’t played. If you think about Waisake Naholo coming to New Zealand, made a Super Rugby team as a 20-year-old, played one or two games for the Blues, you can’t help but think that a player who got contracted for three years and only played one or two games would be looking to go somewhere else. I don’t think even he thought he would be as successful as he has been this season and enjoyed the rugby as much as he has,’’ Joseph said.
‘‘I can only comment on our environment, but what I do know about the Blues is that they’ve got lots of players in those positions . . . we don’t have that same depth in the deep south, so guys come down here.
‘‘Our team environment is very different to the Blues. Players come down here, get an opportunity that they really relish in Dunedin, they really relish our team environment. Our players are really tight, get on well with each other and enjoy their rugby.’’
The Highlanders will feature some new faces against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Tasman lock Alex Ainley will make his first appearance for the Highlanders after breaking his jaw in a club game, while Hawke’s Bay winger Ryan Tongia will also be on debut on Naholo’s right flank.
John Hardie returns after a twomonth absence following a dislocated ankle.
Joseph said the team had been heavily disappointed at letting a 17-point lead go in their loss to Lions last week.
‘‘There’s been a lot of resolve, a lot of honesty about that performance. We’ve trained a lot better this week because I guess we’ve started to get used to to the training and the altitude.
‘‘At the end of the day we’ve still got to put that on the track and that’s the challenge ahead for the team.’’ The Cheetahs have been hit by injuries, particularly to their inside backs, but before their bye last week were good enough to beat the South African conference leading Stormers. The Highlanders haven’t confirmed when they will give their three All Blacks the second week of a mandatory two-week rest. Joseph said it would probably not be against the Force in Perth next week.
There was a chance Joe Wheeler could play for the Highlanders again this season despite suffering a gradethree medial ligament injury last month, Joseph said.