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Halaholo agrees new Cardiff deal just 3 days after impressive Wales debut

16 Feb 2021

(Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Wales international centre Willis Halaholo has agreed to a new long-term deal with Cardiff Blues. The Blues announced new terms for Halaholo just three days after he made an impressive Wales debut in a 25-24 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.

New Zealand-born Halaholo, who qualifies for Wales on residency, made a considerable impact off the replacements’ bench as Wayne Pivac’s team recorded a second successive win in this season’s tournament.

Halaholo, 30, joined Cardiff in 2016 and he gained his Wales chance after recovering from a serious knee injury. “With Dai Young coming in as director of rugby and such an exciting and developing squad, it was a simple decision for me to make,” Halaholo told the Blues’ official website. “It was a long road back from my knee injury, but I feel I am rediscovering my previous form and there is definitely more to come.”

Wales boss Wayne Pivac talks Louis Rees-Zammit and England in round three

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Wales boss Wayne Pivac talks Louis Rees-Zammit and England in round three

Young added: “Everyone knows Willis’ ability as a player – he carries hard, has electric feet and is a quality defender. “He is the kind of player that gives the opposition headaches as you don’t know what he is going to do. It was great to see him called up by Wales and I was very impressed with his performance in Scotland, where he made a big impression and displayed real maturity and leadership.”

📨🆕 GIF @whalaholo pic.twitter.com/qf8yRs62W4
— Cardiff Rugby (@Cardiff_Rugby) February 16, 2021

Wales boss Pivac was greatly enthused last week after calling the then uncapped Halaholo into his Six Nations squad. “Willis is by far the best in the collision area because of his footwork, he beats defenders and gets over the gain line so that is what we are looking to utilise.

“Also his offloading game and where we haven’t been ruthless on the edges and where we haven’t created opportunities, he is very good in that department of the game, straightening up the attack and putting people into space. We think that is what we need at the moment.” Putting people into space was precisely what Halaholo did late on at Murrayfield, executing an excellent pass to allow the match-winning Louis Rees-Zammit kick ahead and regather to score the decisive try.

"He could be a special player going forward"
– Willis Halaholo was called up by Wales at the expense of Jamie Roberts #SixNations #SCOvWAL https://t.co/rytZ1ChINF
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 11, 2021

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Comments on RugbyPass

DS 21 minutes ago

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Let’s blame a Chief instead ! 😀

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DS 27 minutes ago

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My bad. Let’s just carry on failing with the same tried and true. When DMac was 10 v France in Dunedin the ABs scored 7 tries; the same in Mendoza. Let's leave him on the bench till the game is already lost or better yet in the stands just in case he might run sideways. BB and SloMo can get the job done. No need to take a risk, especially now that Razor loves his Little Mo. SA will be delighted. No risk Kiwi - that’s the answer / the road to Cup success!

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Blackmania 33 minutes ago

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I don’t really share Johnson’s opinion. Nothing better than Tupaea and Lienert-Brown in NZ? It’s a good duo, and he wouldn’t look out of place, but I think we can do better. Tavatavanawai seems superior to Tupaea at 12. He’s a brute force, who makes few mistakes (which can still be criticized in Tupaea), formidable both with and without the ball in close contact. I can see him playing with Proctor. On paper, this combination would be very, very interesting, in the same philosophy as the iconic Nonu/C Smith duo.

Anyway, I remain convinced that in Razor’s mind, Jordie Barrett is indispensable at center, and he could quickly team up with Leicester Fainga’anuku. I’m betting on that in the near future.

However, a Tavatanawai/Proctor duo would be very interesting. Ennor also seems to be a good option instead of Proctor, who still hasn’t played this season. But Ennor has only played one match... he needs to be seen again and get some game time. There is a lot of talent in New Zealand in these two positions. The hardest part will be cutting players who could make a difference for many teams. The choices are going to be tough. If I had to make a bold bet, and unlike Johnson, I don’t see Tupaea being selected, and I imagine ALB could be in a tight spot against Proctor and Ennor if they are fit.

I imagine Jordie, Havili, Rieko, and Fainga'anuku with Tavatavanawai. Ennor or Proctor if Fainga'anuku is not selected in July. And ALB if Jordie is rested

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

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It still reflects poorly on the RFU. Obviously the coaches would get it for bombing a home world cup. They were in a pool of death though and just never recovered from the Welsh loss. They seemed to have Burgess shoehorned into the squad by the RFU too.

I think both coaches got burned but they've used their time brilliantly and had the last laugh.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

A 48 year old coach could be in his 12th season whereas a 50 year old may just be in his second. It's not a stable comparison.

Most of the (smart) premier league coaches are locked into contracts that renders them too expensive to be sacked, early doors.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

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On the basis of his career stats across the last 5/6 seasons. For club and country. Both win ratios and individual performances have been better when he's played 7.

He was 8 against the unholy trinity last July and Nov. They lost against all 3. Very limited impact from behind the base of the scrum.

He's a dynamic and modern 7. Perhaps a 7 1/2 if it existed but not an 8.

Just my opinion on a rugby forum that encourages opinions. I'm not trying to steal your pension fund so you can relax.

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IkeaBoy 1 hour ago

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Mitch 1 hour ago

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fl 1 hour ago

Why Les Kiss and Stuart Lancaster can lead Australia to glory

Steve Hansen stepped down as ABs coach aged 60, Graham Henry did so at 65, Robbie Deans quit the Wallabies job at 54, and Wayne Smith left the ABs aged 60.

Most of them have had lesser jobs since then, but its only Graham Henry who could really be said to have coached at the top level “well into his 60s”. He’s a bit of an outlier, and that was 14 years ago. Its very possible that that will change, but I’m not seeing much evidence of that!

One factor that might be important is that NBA and the NFL are 1 league sports. Rugby league is pretty much a 2 league sport, and those 2 leagues are so far apart there can’t be much trading between them. Rugby union and especially association football have many more leagues, and so there are more opportunities for younger managers to break through.

Also, the fact that Rugby tends to have less chopping and changing of coaches is an argument against hiring older coaches. Hire a good coach in his 40s and he could stay in the job for 20 years, but realistically how long would Les Kiss be the best coach in Australia for?

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LE 1 hour ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

I’d probably agree this is a tour too early but Lions do have a rich history of capping bolters and Pollock isnt as far behind as many say. I think you under-estimate his jackle work as he has a great turnover rate at club level and even at England A, he even got one against Wales

Fact is the nature of the game is changing and fast lighter backrows becoming more and more common as ball in play times go up and teams look to play wider. He is faces a challenge to make the initial squad but he is definately part of the conversation

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fl 2 hours ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

on what basis is earl a better 7 than 8?

his best test level performances have all been at 8. He’s a great club level openside, but has only ever performed well there in international rugby when there has been a specialist openside elsewhere in the back row who is able to share the defensive workload.

you’re right that Pollock won’t go to the Lions, but he’s a much better 8 than he is a 7. That’s because - like Earl - his carrying game is immense but his defensive workrate is a step behind players like Curry, Curry, Underhill, and Pepper.

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fl 2 hours ago

'He's a special player': Lawrence Dallaglio backs Henry Pollock to be Lions bolter

he’s never played 6

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Spew_81 2 hours ago

Can Samoa and Tonga ever become contenders when their top talent is skimmed?

Agree. I was replying to JHW’s comment.

Most tier one nations, apart from the Pumas and the Springboks are guilty of poaching tier two talent.

It will keep happening until the eligibility rules are properly fixed.

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JD Kiwi 2 hours ago