All Black Waisake Naholo returns to rugby and scores three tries

Naholo was back and scoring during a club rugby game over the weekend. Photo / Getty

Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo has returned to the rugby pitch after he re-injured the leg which almost cost him his World Cup dream and for which he sought traditional healing in his native Fiji.

Naholo sustained the fracture during the Highlanders first game of the Super Rugby season against the Blues at Eden Park in March.

The Fijian star made headlines around the world last year when he made a quick recovery from a leg fracture suffered while playing on debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in Christchurch in July ahead of his World Cup call-up in September.

Last year travelled back to Fiji for a treatment he said consisted of the use of natural elements such as leaves. He didn't return to Fiji this time around for the traditional treatment.

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In a sign of his recovery, Naholo scored three tries during his club rugby return over the weekend to help Harbour retain the Scoles Memorial Trophy when Zingari-Richmond was beaten 66-24 at Montecillo.

"My leg was OK but my lungs were the problem,'' he told the Otago Daily Times.

"I'm looking forward to getting back on the paddock for the Highlanders. That is what I'm in Dunedin for.''

He was philosophical about his injuries.

"It's something you've got to expect playing rugby,'' he said.

"These things happen. I was just a bit unlucky with the breaks occurring on the same leg.''