All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is understood to be leaning towards the shock inclusion of Highlanders wing sensation Waisake Naholo in his World Cup squad of 31 to be announced on Sunday.
Naholo was given a three‑month recovery timetable and was presumed to be unavailable for selection for the World Cup squad.
But the situation has changed dramatically in recent weeks with the 24‑year‑old having made significant progress on the back of "alternative" treatment undertaken in Fiji.
Hansen admitted that Naholo was now a "possibility" to make the World Cup squad.
It is understood latest scans on Naholo reveal the fine fracture in his leg has healed.
That might convince the All Blacks to roll the dice and take their potential game‑breaker to England.
The All Blacks refused to reveal details of Naholo's latest tests and said that the information would not be made available until Sunday's squad announcement.
The timetable for his return would remain at the third game but it appears to be a risk that Hansen is now considering as the squad selection cutoff looms.
The Fijian‑born flyer is rated highly by Hansen after his sizzling season for the Highlanders.
New Zealand Rugby encouraged and supported him in his decision to back out of a contract with Clermont in France to recommit to the Kiwi game.
NZ is pooled with Argentina, Tonga, Georgia and Namibia.
Source: stuff.co.nz
