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London Irish sign All Black World Cup winner Waisake Naholo

Rugby, Super Rugby

All Black and World Cup winner Waisake Naholo has signed for London Irish, the club announced Wednesday.

The winger, 28, who has won 26 senior international caps, will leave the Highlanders and join the Gallagher Premiership club at the start of next season.

Naholo has enjoyed a four-year spell with the Super Rugby club, winning the title in 2015 and setting a franchise record with 41 tries in 55 appearances.

"Following a great career with the All Blacks, Highlanders and Taranaki I am excited by the challenge of joining London Irish," Naholo said in a statement.

"London Irish is a team on the up and has an exciting future. There is plenty of ambition, a world-class training facility, a good group of coaches and players and some exciting signings coming in. The supporters have a great reputation as well and I'm looking forward to it."

Naholo was part of the All Blacks team which won the 2015 World Cup and he has scored 16 tries in his international career.

"Waisake is a top-class player who will bring great experience with him, which we hope he can pass onto our younger players as they continue their development with us," director of rugby Declan Kidney said.

"We are delighted that a player of his ability and age profile has bought into our vision for where we as a club are working hard to get to. We look forward to welcoming him to Hazelwood when he is finished with his commitments with the NZRU."

London Irish have also signed international players Sekope Kepu and Paddy Jackson since gaining promotion back to the Premiership next season.

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