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London Irish fans expect to be a force next season after spending spree
By Josh Raisey
London Irish fans have got very excited about their team’s chances next season after they announced the signing of All Blacks and Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo.
The 26-cap behemoth will arrive at Irish after the World Cup and will seriously boost Declan Kidney’s side’s hopes, not only of survival next season but actually being a threat in the Premiership.
Many fans have shared their opinion on Twitter and while they are obviously happy with this signing, it seems clear among the supporters that there is a lot of confidence going into next season with the team that they are building.
The Exiles have already secured the services of Ireland and British and Irish Lions flanker Sean O’Brien, Wallabies centurion Sekope Kepu, the controversial signing of 25-cap former Ireland international Paddy Jackson, as well as other international signings.
It is clear that Irish have learned from their mistakes last season where they failed to recruit heavily enough in the first season back in the Premiership. That resulted in them being immediately relegated back to the Championship.
They have emphatically tried to ensure that history does not repeat itself, and many fans are expecting a promising season to come. This is what they have said:
Naholo is currently nursing a a knee injury and may not play again this Super Rugby season, but is a contender to make the World Cup in September. Then again, with the form of some uncapped players such as Sevu Reece, Braydon Ennor and Will Jordan in New Zealand, there is a very real possibility that he may not make Steve Hansen’s squad for the tournament.
Such is the strength in depth of the All Blacks that Naholo may miss out, despite being the Highlanders’ top try scorer in Super Rugby with 41 tries in 58 matches.
However, should Naholo miss out on the World Cup, Irish are set to be the ones who benefit as they will gain an extra two months more service from him.
READ: The RugbyPass story last February which first revealed Naholo was coming to London Irish
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Latest Comments
Fair comment but we also can't ignore the the fact that NZ Rugby had to threaten to sack the guy & his coaching team in 2022. The ABs were literally a laughing stock at that point. The flow on effects don't disappear overnight. But yeah, I hear ya. Moving on.
Go to commentsSeriously world rugby, you gave the mens 7s player of the year to someone who played....... 3 tournaments.
It does beg the question, In almost 25 years of this mens award there has only been 1 X2 winner of the award, does everybody eventually get a turn at winning it?
Please don't get me started on the womens 7s player of the year, it had to be Jorga Miller in my book
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