Naholo off to New York

Former Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo is heading to the Big Apple.

Naholo has signed with Rugby United New York for the remainder of the Major League Rugby season, which has seven games left.

He joins former All Black Andy Ellis at the club.

Naholo (30) returned to New Zealand last year after a stint in the United Kingdom.

He played for Canterbury in last year’s NPC and spent the Super Rugby pre-season with the Crusaders, although never played a competition game for the franchise.

Once a crowd favourite at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Naholo was a regular on the right wing for the Highlanders between 2015 and 2019.

He scored a team-record 45 tries, utilising his pace and left-foot step. It created an enduring legacy and Dunedin crowds will still sing his name to the tune of the White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army.

His form in helping the Highlanders win the Super Rugby title in 2015 propelled him into the All Blacks. There he was part of that year’s World Cup-winning squad, going on to play 26 tests between then and 2018.

He left New Zealand after a dip in form in 2019, before a knee injury limited his impact with London Irish.