Naholo Ends 2015 Bitterly Disappointed

Waisake Naholo’s remarkable 2015 has come to a sad end with the news that he will miss the Rugby World Cup through injury.

 The Highlanders winger and Super Rugby top try scorer limped out of Friday’s Rugby Championship opener against Argentina.

 A broken bone in his fibula will force Naholo to undergo surgery, ruling him out for three months and therefore the World Cup in England which starts this September.

 The news is a real shame for Naholo after such a dazzling year, with his form resulting in the All Blacks moving to release Naholo from his contract with Top 14 giants Clermont.

 "We are all a bit shocked about it because he was weight-bearing on it and pretty good,” said New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen.

 "But he got back here last night and got really sore, so the doctor thought he better have it scanned. And in the scan there is a very fine crack in it [the bone]. It just means three months out.

 "There is no displacement which is good. If we get him right and we do need an outside back replacement, he will be fit and ready to go in the middle of October.”