Why Waisake Naholo Will Provide the X-Factor in 2015 Super Rugby Final

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: July 4, 2015

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The Super Rugby 2015 final boils down to an in-house scrap between New Zealand’s two best franchises in Wellington.

The Hurricanes and the Highlanders have taken different routes to this contest at the summit, and the home side start as favourites after topping the table and beating the Highlanders twice already this season.

But Jamie Joseph’s men have been underrated all season.

A pack with no star names has consistently punched above its weight, giving the league’s best scrum-half Aaron Smith the sort of platform he craves and allowing a potent back line containing All Blacks Malakai Fekitoa and captain Ben Smith to carve teams up.

But the real show-stopper for the men from Dunedin this season has been the man in the No. 14 shirt, Waisake Naholo. The Fijian-born wing led the try-scoring charts this year with 12, one ahead of Hurricanes scrum-half TJ Perenara, per the New Zealand Herald.



All eyes will be on Naholo on Saturday. This contest brings him into direct conflict with All Blacks try machine Julian Savea. The 24-year-old has an astonishing record in Test rugby of 30 tries in 33 appearances, per espn.co.uk. He has bagged eight for the ‘Canes this season.

Naholo, just 24, may well be the man to play on the opposite flank to Savea for the All Blacks this year.

They have certainly made it clear they rate him by including him in their extended training squad, an invite that backed up Naholo’s decision to renege on a contract he signed to join French club Clermont Auvergne next season, per stuff.co.nz.

The giants from the Massif Central wanted him as a replacement for the departing Napolioni Nalaga, who has been one of the best players in Europe for years, but the lure of the black jersey has proved stronger than the money on offer in France.

It is also something of a turnaround since Naholo was deemed sur...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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