Gavin Henson’s indignation at the New Zealand-born centre’s call-up is understandable, but Wales are doing nothing different to what they and other top nations have practised for years
This week should have been one of the high points in Willis Halaholo’s career having been named in Wales’ squad to face the Barbarians in Cardiff on Saturday. Instead it is one of the lowest after the centre was ruled out for probably the rest of the season by a knee injury sustained during Cardiff Blues’ defeat by Leicester in the Challenge Cup at the Arms Park, a dismal match on a dank night.
Halaholo, like the Scarlets’ full-back Johnny McNicholl, qualifies for Wales on residency having joined the Blues in 2016 from the Hurricanes, the year McNicholl left the Crusaders for the Scarlets.
Written by Paul Rees
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/blog/2019/nov/28/the-breakdown-willis-halaholo-wales-residency-rules-rugby-union under the title “The Breakdown | Willis Halaholo and Wales should not be pilloried for following the rules”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
