Will hot-stepping Halaholo pick up where he left off?

LAST November should have marked one of the highest points of Willis Halaholo’s career, writes Ben James.

Instead, it possibly marked the nadir.

The Cardiff Blues centre was set for his Wales debut, after being named in Wayne Pivac’s first squad for the clash with the Barbarians.

It would have been the highlight of a career that included starting for the Hurricanes in their maiden Super Rugby title in 2016.

Perhaps it would have been all the more sweeter, stuffing that Wales appearance down the throats of those critics who expressed their dismay at the Auckland-born midfielder pulling on the red jersey.

But it wasn’t to be. Cruciate ligament damage suffered against Leicester curbed any chance of playing against the Barbarians. Reconstructive knee surgery ruled him out for the best part of a year. Only now is were going to feature in midfield ner, while Watkin still looks like he’ll he back in training, targeting a return selection discussions. play the role of bench impact that he to action ahead of the new Guinness As such, concerns over depth in did so well under Gatland. PRO14 season in October, according the position were understandably So when it comes to competition, to recent updates from the Blues. rife. Halaholo is probably facing the same

Just seeing the 30-year-old back on In the year that has followed under challenges he did last year - other the Arms Park surface will be a sight Pivac, things are looking a little than the fact Tompkins is at a youngto behold for many a rugby fan. healthier in that regard when it er and greener stage of his career But what of his Wales chances? comes to emerging talent at the than Parkes.

Given how desperately close he regions – with the likes of Johnny WilThat said, if Halaholo can produce was a year ago, where does he now liams, Ben Thomas and Kieran Wilthe same form he did last year, odds stand in the pecking order after a year liams all potential call-ups for the are he’ll still be considered by Pivac. of rehab and recovery? future. The Wales coach quipped last year

For starters, the picture in the But when it comes to the top end, that the likes of Johnny McNicholl Welsh midfield has changed a little - there are still just three names who and Halaholo would have to be but not massively. could be considered potential start“much better” than Welsh-born play

Towardsers.theendofWarrenGat-ers. land’s reign, there was effectively Davies and Watkin remain, but ltimately though, McNicholl and three midfield options - Hadleigh while Hadleigh Parkes has bid fareHalaholo have as much right to play Parkes, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watwell to Welsh rugby, in his place has for Wales as anyone having qualified. kin. There were others who made emerged Nick Tompkins. One in, one They don’t need to be “much better”, appearances – like Scott Williams or out, so to speak. Moving forward, just better.

Tyler Morgan – but when push came Tompkins looks ready to take over And on that front, he’s surely worth to shove, it was the above three who from Parkes as Davies’ midfield part- a squad place.

Not only does he carry with gusto and strength, but he can beat you in a phonebox.

Quite simply, he offers a point of difference at inside centre that Pivac would certainly enjoy having in his squad.

The question now is whether Halaholo can get back to his best after such a serious injury.

That is no easy feat at 30.

The strength of Halaholo’s game was a boundless array of hot-stepping ability that would put Ini Kamoze on red alert.

Quite how that explosive step will be following reconstructive knee surgery remains to be seen.

But Halaholo has overcome his fair share of hardships in his career. You’d back him to do it once again.

If so, maybe it will be this autumn that provides him with his career highlight.