»At home with Halalolo:
IT’S been quite a journey for Willis Halaholo. After lining up as a fullyfledged Wales international against Scotland at Murrayfield, the Cardiff Blues star fully admitted that the emotion of the occasion very nearly got the better of him.
“It was emotional, especially during the anthem,” he revealed after that game. “My wife asked me why I looked like that during the anthem.
“I was trying to hold back the tears because I was just thinking how hard it was to get here and how I am playing for my two daughters who were born in Wales.
“This is their country and anybody who knows me knows I am all about family.”
It’s clearly been something of an emotional rollercoaster for the New Zealand-born centre, who was, of course, cruelly denied a first cap back in 2019, after a serious knee injury.
To have emerged out the other side has clearly been tough – and not just for Willis, who starts today’s crunch game on the bench.
On her YouTube channel, wife Sandra has provided a unique and detailed insight into the emotional build-up to that clash in Scotland – and the impact it had on family life.
It begins with Willis returning to the family home from Wales’ training base at the Vale Resort, where he reveals he’s just found out he’s set to be involved in the 23 against Scotland that weekend.
His children are clearly abuzz with excitement as he proudly declares “I’m playing this week. I’ve got to do some homework!”
He then pulls out a pair of brandnew boots, received in anticipation of the big clash, much to the approval of Sandra, who declares the news of his selection as a “major answered prayer”.
Christian faith is clearly at the heart of Halaholo’s family life and, amid the opportunity to bury the anguish of Willis missing out on that last call-up, Sandra can’t help but tearfully reflect on the journey of the past year or so.
“I’m just in so much awe and just grateful because God carried me through. That was a really hard season, but man it’s been worth it.
“Being away from your family, your support system. I think if anything this forced us to really rely on God and rely on the Holy Spirit.
“I’m just filled with so much awe. In the trenches, when it got difficult, I could hear God’s words. It was bang on, because here we are. I’m just filled with so much gratitude.
“I’m just so proud of Willis just grinding quietly.”
Despite not yet being in camp, the reality of the situation clearly sinks in quickly and Willis is shown in bed doing what he describes as ‘homework’ in preparation for meeting up with the rest of the squad.
He admits he’s nervous.
“I’m just going through these moves. Just the language that they use out there in the field, I’m just trying to get up to date, so that when I go in, I don’t look too lost.
“You never know, I might be playing this week, so it’s trying to get it locked in the game
“I feel more nervous about meeting the boys. The boys I haven’t met. I’m not nervous about the rugby.
“I’m more nervous about meeting the boys, especially the senior boys, acting like I’m not 30 years old.
“I feel like I’m 19.”
The excitement continues to build as the news of his possible call-up is leaked by the press, with Sandra then receiving congratulatory messages on social media. Messages she can’t yet reply to.
Before heading off to camp, meanwhile, the happiness and joy in the household is palpable, but it soon becomes obvious that not everyone wants him to go.
Leaving your family for four nights takes its toll at the best of times, but it’s arguably made even harder in the current climate.
On the morning of February 10, Willis’ daughter Atu takes control of the camera and admits she “doesn’t want him to leave” – an opinion seemingly shared by her two subdued sisters.
After a short family prayer, Willis is off, and his absence soon takes its toll on Sandra too, who becomes visibly irritated at not having her husband around.
“I miss him so much. It’s just so bloody stressful. I’m so annoyed. So bloody annoyed.”
Willis himself messages from camp, and admits that being around some of Welsh rugby’s biggest names is ‘intimidating’.
Game day Wales jerseys are purchased with Willis’ name on the back, while a friend of the family supplies the obligatory flags.
Photos are taken, and the big occasion is finally here, although not before an emotional flashback to Halaholo’s rehabilitation from that devastating knee injury, which includes clips of a touching reunion with his parents.
The game gets under way and nerves clearly start to kick in when Willis is introduced at 32 minutes.
“Dad, come off now,” says Atu, who can barely watch, not wanting to see her father get hurt. Sandra says a little prayer and young Masina just asks when her dad’s coming home.
After going through so much to get to this point, the family is put through the wringer again as a tense contest unfolds at Edinburgh.
But to their delight, Wales emerge with the win.
Sandra captures Willis’ arrival home that evening, and it’s clear the exertions of the match at Murrayfield have proved substantial, with the rugby star showing little interest in moving off the sofa.
“When Willis comes back from game day. I kind of just let him just breathe and have his own space because obviously his body is just completely thrashed. Every time I go to touch him. He’ll be like ‘Ow, ow ow’ or whatever.”
“Not every time,” he snaps back with a smirk.
The following morning, it’s back to being a dad, with daughter Miriam climbing into bed for a cuddle before being joined by her two sisters.
It’s a touching way to round off a whirlwind few days for the 30-year old, who will no doubt be hoping there will be plenty more international days out to come.
You can watch the wonderful video in full at www.youtube.com/watch?v=JITUaziiDwE&t=260s, and subscribe to Sandra’s channel by searching “Sandra Halaholo” in YouTube