All Blacks winger Waisake Naholo has signed with English club London Irish and will leave New Zealand rugby following the Rugby World Cup.
Naholo is the latest big name recruit by the club, which has also signed British & Irish Lions flanker Sean O'Brien, Wallabies Nick Phipps and Curtis Rona, and former Irish first-five Paddy Jackson in recent months.
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Naholo will leave New Zealand at the end of this year, having so far scored 16 tries in a 26-test career.
The 28-year-old's speed and power has also made him a potent attacking force at Super Rugby level, scoring 41 tries in 58 appearances for the Highlanders since 2015.
Fijian-born Naholo made his All Blacks debut that year, playing in two pool matches at the World Cup, after overcoming a serious leg injury to earn selection.
"I'm looking forward to the opportunity of playing in the UK, but I'm still very much focused on the present and want to work really hard with the Highlanders to ensure we finish our season on a high," Naholo said.
"I feel like I owe it to the Highlanders, after all that has happened to me since I came down here in 2015 - it really changed my life."
Naholo is a fringe contender for All Blacks selection this year and his decision to sign offshore may count against him, when coach Steve Hansen narrows down his World Cup squad.
AAP
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