Rugby: Waisake Naholo hit by another broken leg curse

Waisake Naholo of the Highlanders looks at his options during the Super Rugby trial match between the Highlanders and the Waratahs. Photo / Getty Images.

Highlanders wing Waisake Naholo 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 a new fracture late in the game against the Blues at Eden Park last Friday, an injury that was confirmed by X-ray yesterday.

"While this is very unfortunate for Waisake, the positive news is that this injury is not as bad as his last fracture," Highlanders doctor Greg Macleod said. "He is already managing well and it's expected his rehab will take six to eight weeks."

Naholo 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. However, Macleod said he wouldn't travel home for a similar treatment this time.

Highlanders halfback Fumiaki Tanaka, meanwhile, injured a calf during his last training in Auckland before the Blues match and was replaced on the reserves bench by Josh Renton.

"Fumi has torn his calf and we expect the recovery to take four weeks, said Macleod.

Head coach Jamie Joseph, who watched his side lose 33-31 after taking a 24-20 lead to halftime, said: "To lose players for an extended period is always disappointing but you have to expect injuries to occur at some point. As a group we simply deal with it and move on.

The focus for the players now will be to rehab well and work to make themselves available again."