Hard to believe he signed a contract to head overseas before the season had started as he thought his chances in New Zealand had gone.
And it seems hard to believe New Zealand Rugby and the Highlanders would now let him leave.
Though it appears he is here to stay, what can now be believed, based on Saturday night's evidence, is that Naholo is the real deal.
He was the man of the moment at Forsyth Barr Stadium, scoring the Highlanders' two tries in a cracking playoff win over the Chiefs.
Naholo was all fire and purpose, combining his blinding speed and strength.
It was just part of a dream weekend for the Fijian born flier. His two tries set a record for most tries in a season by a Highlanders player, surpassing Jeff Wilson's 10 tries, set in 1998, and he was named in the All Blacks yesterday.
Naholo was playing down his accomplishments after the game and said the record was not on his mind.
''I just went out there to do a job and it was good to get a win. I wasn't really thinking about it tonight,'' he said.
''I was just playing and trying to get a win for the boys. The boys have been giving me stick about it but I hadn't thought about it.''
Naholo had a busy match and that would have pleased the men in the coaching box.
''During the week, Jake [Highlanders coach Jamie Joseph] and Browny [assistant coach Tony Brown] told me to try and get involved. I tried to do that. And it was good. I think we are just backing ourselves out there.''
Naholo's two tries were part of a connection with halfback Aaron Smith, and Naholo praised the All Black No 9.
It has been a dream year for Naholo, and he said it came back to the sheer fun of being a Highlander.
''I had the opportunity when I came down here and got out on the field. And the players around me are good quality and that makes it easier out on the field.''
Naholo may have picked up the points but it was the hard work by those inside him who helped set up the tries.
Flanker Elliot Dixon, who got through a mountain of work, said it was about the whole team working hard.
''We are not the biggest names and I think everyone has got a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Some boys have come down from different provinces and want to show how good they are,'' Dixon said.
''It was hard work and at the end there we were just tackling, tackling and tackling.''
Dixon, a new father of baby boy Huxley, has been a massive improver over the past two seasons, and never took a backward step all night.
The Highlanders looked the more threatening throughout the match and appeared to score in the opening two minutes, when a Lima Sopoaga cross kick was gobbled up by winger Patrick Osborne. But it was ruled out by a debatable call of Naholo having put his foot into touch.
The teams traded penalties before a great interchange of passing between Naholo and Aaron Smith put the winger over.
After the Highlanders turned 9 8 down, Smith repeated the dose, exploiting the blindside for Naholo to again go over.
The Chiefs tried to come back and Brodie Retallick scored a try but they ran out of time and Lima Sopoaga iced the game with a penalty right at the end.
Super rugby playoff
The scores
Highlanders 24
Waisake Naholo 2 tries; Lima Sopoaga con, 4 pen
Chiefs 14
Brodie Retallick try; Andrew Horrell 3 pen
Halftime: Chiefs 9-8.
Crowd: 22,500.
