New All Blacks wing, Waisake Naholo is in Fiji for herbal treatment to fix his broken leg in a last‑ditch attempt to be ready for next month's Rugby World Cup.
He believes the procedure using leaves from a common plant and massage will take eight days to restore the fibula snapped during his sensational first test against Argentina in Christchurch on July 17th.
Naholo says he has been urged to return for the traditional medicine by the doctor at his village in Nadroumai.
He says the doctor, Isei Naiova, had used the leaves to cure his rugby injuries twice before, taking eight days each time to fix an injured knee and hip.
Meanwhile Naiova did not want to tell the Weekend Herald in New Zealand what leaves he uses, and Naholo said he could not recall the name of the plant, although he had seen something similar growing in New Zealand.
Professor Geoffrey Horne, an orthopaedic surgeon in Wellington, say natural healing was not based on any known Western medical practices but people believed in it.
Naholo, had standard treatment for the broken leg in New Zealand, but was told there was only an outside chance he would make it back to the rugby field in time for the World Cup.
He says the All Black coaches have left the door open for a return, and are staying in touch with him.
The All Blacks management would not comment on whether the treatment in Fiji would make any difference to Naholo's recovery or prospects of playing in the World Cup.
Naholo scored 13 tries for the Highlanders in their first title‑winning season and made several scorching breaks in his debut test.
Meanwhile the All Blacks will take on the Wallabies at 7.35pm this Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup decider.
Source: nzherald.com
