Big spending London Irish sign All Black Waisake Naholo
London Irish have announced the signing of New Zealand winger Waisake Naholo. The 28-year-old Rugby World Cup winner, who has 26 caps, has also won a Super Rugby title and was part of the successful Baby Black World Rugby Under-20 Championship team.
He has regularly shown his finishing capability at all levels, crossing the whitewash 16 times at international level alone, with a further 41 coming in his 55 Super Rugby appearances for the Highlanders, a franchise record.
London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney is looking forward to seeing Naholo in action for the Exiles later in the year once his New Zealand contractual commitments have been completed.
“Waisake is a top-class player who will bring great experience with him, which we hope he can pass onto our younger players as they continue their development with us,” he said.
“We are delighted that a player of his ability and age profile has bought into our vision for where we as a club are working hard to get to. We look forward to welcoming him to Hazelwood when he is finished with his commitments with the NZRU.”
“Following a great career with the All Blacks, Highlanders and Taranaki I am excited by the challenge of joining London Irish” Naholo expressed.
“London Irish is a team on the up and has an exciting future. There is plenty of ambition, a world-class training facility, a good group of coaches and players and some exciting signings coming in. The supporters have a great reputation as well and I'm looking forward to it.”
It was in February, fresh after officially confirming the signing of British and Irish Lions back row Sean O’Brien, that RugbyPass announced Naholo would be coming to London Irish.
We reported that Irish had beaten Wasps to the Highlander’s signature in what was the latest addition to a growing raft of big name international talent switching to the club.
Latest Comments
I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
Go to comments