Kiwi duo primed for Wales following World Cup exit
Two New Zealanders could play a key role in Wales' re-build following their semi-final exit from the World Cup.
Former Crusaders outside back Johnny McNicholl and ex-Hurricanes midfielder Willis Halaholo will both become available for international selection for Wales on residency grounds next year, when they will have lived in the country for three years.
The two 29-year-olds moved to Wales following the 2016 Super Rugby campaign, with McNicholl linking up with Scarlets, while Halaholo joined Cardiff Blues.
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Both men have featured regularly for their clubs since their arrivals in the United Kingdom, and would not be the only New Zealanders evident within the Welsh set-up.
Hunterville-born midfielder Hadleigh Parkes, formerly of the Blues, Hurricanes, Auckland and Manawatu, has won 24 caps for Wales since 2017 after shifting there three years beforehand, and has been an ever-present figure for the Welsh throughout this World Cup.
At the age of 32, though, it's difficult to envisage the veteran playing internationally for much longer beyond 2019, making Halaholo an ideal replacement from next year onwards.
Had it not been for injury, Parkes would have been joined in Japan by ex-Blues, Chiefs and Auckland playmaker Gareth Anscombe, who was ruled out of the tournament after sustaining a knee injury during a warm-up fixture against England in August.
McNicholl, who was born-and-raised in Christchurch, told WalesOnline last year that it would be an honour to represent Wales in test match rugby if he was ever presented with the opportunity.
"If I do get that opportunity, I would be very humbled and grateful and take it with both hands," he said.
"I feel like, I've brought my partner over here, we've adapted the Welsh culture, we've lived here for three years. We've really embraced it.
"I've got a daughter now. She's Welsh, she was born here, she's going to pre-school here and I feel like if I do play for Wales, I'd be doing her and her home nation proud."
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I still see nothing in Sotutus play that hes changed his upright running style that failed so many times against decent international defences like the french. Other than that… Iose? Well you have covered his limitations well. If Sititi had been playing the the season… Jacobson? Grace?…Neither shout pick me. So Ardie it is.
Go to commentsThere isn’t one element you mentioned there that every top class or successful team gets up to. The great All blacks sides used to play on the ‘fringes or edge’ but it was essentially saying they were doing something illegal or borderline to gain dominance. The fine margins at the top are minute between the top sides. La Rochelle, the crusaders, Saracens, Toulon etc etc…..have all been accused. Get over it, the comment comes across as salty and naive. Northampton as well as they played to get back into the match were thoroughly beaten and controlled for 60 minutes and Leinster have only themselves to blame for kicking it away and hence losing control of the match and being nearly the architects of their own downfall.
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