Halaholo cops racist abuse after Wales selection
New Zealand-born Welsh rugby star Willis Halaholo says he’s been the victim of racism since getting called up to play international rugby.
The Auckland-born Halaholo, who is of Tongan heritage, was initially selected by the new Welsh coach Wayne Pivac late last year to play against the Barbarians after completing three years residency in Wales.
When he was named in the team he received abuse on social media for taking the residency route to play for his adopted country.
Halaholo told the Scrum V Podcast he thought it was strange that he was criticised for doing this, but that wasn’t the case for other New Zealand players who’ve made the Welsh squad in recent years like Hadleigh Parkes and Johnny McNicholl.
‘‘I don’t know whether it just comes to race or the way I am, my personality. I’m not too sure,’’ Halaholo said. ‘‘I had seen some racist comments.’’
‘‘I’ve seen two other Kiwi-born players receive a huge welcome and then there’s a few question marks over me,’’ he said.
‘‘I don’t try and call it out. It’s mainly on Twitter that I see these things. ‘‘It’s people that I follow fighting for me against these people and then it comes up on my timeline. I never go looking for it but when I come across it, it’s a little bit disheartening.’’
The former Hurricanes midfielder who now plays for the Cardiff Blues, picked up a knee injury which ruled him out of that game for Wales against the Barbarians. He will also miss the Six Nations and is in doubt for Wales’ tests against the All Blacks later this year.
Halaholo has been a revelation for the Blues since leaving New Zealand in 2016. However, that hasn’t stopped him receiving abuse on social media and in November 2019 he decided it was time to hit back.
‘‘This country is in my heart now solidified,’’ he wrote on Twitter. ‘‘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.