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World Cup winner Naholo has made a secret comeback after nightmare 14 months out at Irish
By Chris Jones
World Cup-winning All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo has ended his 14-month injury nightmare by returning to the London Irish squad after defying suggestions he would have to call time on his career. The 29-year-old back, who was part of Steven Hansen's all-conquering squad in 2015, underwent knee surgery a year ago.
Having last played for London Irish in their February 2020 Gallagher Premiership match versus Harlequins, the delay in Naholo's return to fitness sparked speculation about his ability to regain the form that had made him such a devastating attacker.
However, Irish boss Declan Kidney has now revealed that Naholo played one half of a recent A-team game against Wasps and is now on course to help the Exiles bid to retain their top-six place in the Gallagher Premiership and qualify for the Heineken Cup next season.
Naholo, who scored a remarkable 16 tries in just 26 Test matches for the All Blacks, has been helping the young Irish back three players while he has been finishing his rehabilitation.
Kidney said: “If somebody was to write a book about rehabbing (an injury) I would be interested in his. Sometimes when you see a player on the pitch it comes down to talent but professionalism is about how you go about your job and stick to the task. The way he has gone about his would show any player the way back and it hasn’t been easy for him - but I haven’t heard a word of complaint out of him.
“It was a case of getting it right and he has worked as diligently as anyone I have met. You don’t ever want to see a player in that position. In adversity, you see the best of people and I cannot speak highly enough of him. He never dragged his arse about the place or felt sorry for himself, never acted the victim. He is not a guy to steal the limelight and he has helped the back three in training.
“It will be a little bit longer but the A-game was a stepping stone that we didn’t advertise and it was great to see him back out on the pitch - but we have a duty of care. We have to make sure we don’t overextend him after such a long period out. He was the most senior player in the game.”
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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