WELLINGTON: Waisake Naholo completed a stunning comeback from a broken leg Sunday when he was named in the New Zealand World Cup squad, while stalwarts Israel Dagg and Cory Jane missed out.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen selected 17 forwards and 14 backs to head to England to defend their world crown, putting his faith in the traditional Fiji medicine that appears to have healed Naholo's fracture within a week.
Naholo, the top try scorer in Super rugby this year, suffered a leg fracture in his Test debut against Argentina in July and was told by New Zealand doctors he would be sidelined for three months and his World Cup dream was over.
Instead of accepting the diagnosis, the blockbusting wing flew to Fiji where his cracked fibula was healed within a week of herbal treatment.
New Zealand World Cup squad:
Backs:
Back three: Ben Smith (Otago Highlanders), Julian Savea (Wellington Hurricanes), Nehe Milner-Skudder (Hurricanes), Waisake Naholo (Highlanders).
Centres: Ma'a Nonu (Hurricanes), Conrad Smith (Hurricanes), Malakai Fekitoa (Highlanders), Sonny Bill Williams (Waikato Chiefs)
Fly-halves: Dan Carter (Canterbury Crusaders), Beauden Barrett (Hurricanes), Colin Slade (Crusaders)
Scrum-halves: Aaron Smith (Highlanders), TJ Perenara (Hurricanes), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (Chiefs)
Forwards:
Back-row: Kieran Read (Crusaders), Richie McCaw (capt, Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs), Victor Vito (Hurricanes), Jerome Kaino (Auckland Blues), Liam Messam (Chiefs)
Second-row: Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Luke Romano (Crusaders)
Props: Ben Franks (Hurricanes), Owen Franks (Crusaders), Charlie Faumuina (Blues), Tony Woodcock (Blues), Wyatt Crockett (Crusaders)
Hookers: Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Keven Mealamu (Blues), Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
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