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Halaholo hits back at his Welsh critics after ACL injury
Cardiff Blues centre Willis Halaholo has sent a strong message to his critics after his season ended just days before he was expected to make his debut for Wales this Saturday against the Barbarians.
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The 29-year-old was included in new coach Wayne Pivac’s 35-man squad, but he sustained an ACL injury in Cardiff’s Challenge Cup loss to Leicester Tigers last Saturday which will require surgery.
Following the news, Halaholo shared on Twitter that it was a “tough pill to swallow” but thanked all the “genuine supporters”.
There was a wave of criticism following the Auckland-born Halaholo’s selection along with fellow Kiwi Johnny McNicholl as both players were born and raised in New Zealand and qualified to play for Wales through the three-year residency rule.
In light of this, Halaholo continued on Twitter by targeting those who have disapproved of his selection, saying they “got [their] wish”.
Thanks everyone @cardiff_blues for the support. Also all the genuine supporters? Tough pill to swallow at the moment but there must be a bigger Plan for me from the Man above. I’ll be back with very very ItchyFeet. ?? For now I will stand by the brothers till the end of season https://t.co/ofKn5zIxD7
— Willis Halaholo (@whalaholo) November 26, 2019
Last message from me. All the doubters haters and people that don’t think I belong here u got your wish?? u got 9months to get better especially the ones that think it’s ok for the other two Kiwi born to represent Wales but not me ?
— Willis Halaholo (@whalaholo) November 26, 2019
I wasn’t gonna say nothing but it’s just sad to see people still live this way… if ur against the rule? Cool. If ur against me as a person then idk I wish u all the best…
— Willis Halaholo (@whalaholo) November 26, 2019
This country is in my heart now solidified.because anyone that knows me knows FAMILY is huge for me. I have 2 welsh born daughters now that makes this country solidified in my heart. Nothing motivates me more than doubters and haters see u next season ?????Peace and Love??
— Willis Halaholo (@whalaholo) November 26, 2019
The centre particularly directed his message at “the ones that think it’s ok for the other two Kiwi-born to represent Wales but not me”. This is referring to McNicholl and Hadleigh Parkes, who have all qualified to play for Wales through residency.
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Halaholo emphasised how much Wales means to him, saying: “This country is in my heart now solidified. Because anyone that knows me knows FAMILY is huge for me. I have two Welsh-born daughters now that makes this country solidified in my heart. Nothing motivates me more than doubters and haters. See you next season.”
Willis Halaholo's injury couldn't have come at a worse time as the New Zealander had just been called into the Wales squad after qualifying through residency https://t.co/cMpSoWwpQq
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 26, 2019
It would have been hard for Halaholo to avoid the comments made by former players and fans in the wake of his selection for Wales, but he seems determined to return to the national fold after his injury and prove many of his doubters wrong.
With that being said, it must be noted that there were also many fans that were in favour of Halaholo’s selection and he does seem aware of that.
Meanwhile, Ospreys’ centre Scott Williams has been called into the Wales squad for this weekend’s match in Halaholo’s absence.
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WATCH: RugbyPass looks back on some of our favourite moments with the fans at the 2019 World Cup in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments