Rugby: Naholo trying to exit French deal

Highlanders winger Waisake Naholo appears to be trying to get out of his deal to move to a French club.

The Fijian-born flier signed a two-year deal with French powerhouse Clermont in February, before the Super rugby season had started.

But a breakout season for the Highlanders - and suggestions he is in the All Black frame - have led Naholo to try to instigate a plan to scuttle the French deal.

General manager Roger Clark said the Highlanders would dearly love Naholo, the leading try-scorer in Super rugby, to stay with the franchise.

Naholo was working through the issue with Clermont at the moment, Clark said.

The boss of the club told French media overnight the deal with Naholo was up in the air.