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Halaholo hits back at his Welsh critics after ACL injury
By Josh Raisey
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.
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”.
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.
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.”
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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Latest Comments
This France team is as good as they were when they went into the World Cup as favorites. Have gone through a rebuild of confidence and rediscovered that form.
Neither England nor Ireland will trouble this team in the 6N. That’s my prediction.
And I guess about time too. Considering that France has won but one 6N title in 6 seasons despite being the best French team for generations thriving off the platform which is the Top 14.
They must just beware of peaking too soon and going to Australia over confident.
Which is also why I thinks it’s absolutely bonkers that France isn’t sending there best players to New Zealand next year. Yes, it isn’t Australia, but getting some SH travel experience makes more sense than not.
Go to commentsI'm not meaning to criticise the players, it's a professional game, this is their livelihood so all power to them. I am aiming criticism at the selectors. Italy is the perfect opportunity to give players of the future a game such as Lakai, Love etc. There is a finite number of tests until the next world cup to develop the team, we are wasting one today.
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