Former All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo is “really excited” to be back playing rugby in New Zealand following a stint in the UK for the London Irish.
Naholo has just penned a deal with Canterbury in the National Provincial Championship (NPC) and admits that he feared no one would want to sign him due to his troublesome right knee.
The 2015 World Cup winner played the last of his 29 Tests in 2018 before moving to London at the end of 2019. He struggled for continuity in the English capital and decided to come home to extend his career.
“I’ve been injured in the UK so I decided to come home and try to continue playing here,” Naholo told SENZ Afternoons.
“To join this club as well is something else for me, I’m really excited. I didn’t think anyone was going to pick me up.
“Canterbury is not too bad a team to be a part of.”
Naholo has dealt with a long-term knee injury which resulted in surgery last year. He believes he may have lost some of his trademark speed, but is confident he can still play well enough to get back into Super Rugby.
“Probably not as fast as before but if I’ve got space I’ll put the foot down a bit,” Naholo added.
“If I’m not too fast then I’ll probably just have to look for contact.”
“At the moment (I’m) just (going to play) the NPC. Hopefully I’ll get something with Super Rugby, if they’re happy then that’s a bonus for me.”
Canterbury kick off their NPC campaign against Auckland at Eden Park on the 8th of August.