Halaholo injury puts paid to Cardiff’s plans for SA stay

PLANS for Wales star Willis Halaholo to link up with Cardiff for the second of their two matches out in South Africa have had to be scrapped.

It’s emerged the nine-times capped centre picked up a calf injury while playing against Australia in the final autumn international.

So he has remained at home, along with five other Arms Park players who were in Wayne Pivac’s squad – Josh Adams, Ellis Jenkins, Tomos Williams, Seb Davies and Dillon Lewis.

Halaholo missed the first two games of Wales’ campaign after contracting Covid, but then came on as a replacement versus Fiji and played the full 80 minutes in the victory over the Wallabies.

Now he is facing another lay-off, leaving Cardiff somewhat depleted in the centre for their United Rugby Championship games away to the Lions and the Stormers, with Rey Lee Lo serving a threematch suspension following his sending off against the Dragons.

“Willis was one we left right until the last minute, because we didn’t know his involvement,” said director of rugby Dai Young, speaking from Cape Town.

“He played against Australia, so we decided we wouldn’t take him for the first week but fly him out for the second week.

“But unfortunately he has picked up calf injury, which means he won’t be coming out now.”

Cardiff do have six Wales squad members out in South Africa in Rhys Priestland, Shane LewisHughes, Rhys Carre, Owen Lane, Kirby Myhill and Ben Thomas.

With Halaholo and Lee Lo also unavailable, the centres in South Africa are Thomas, Max Llewellyn and Harri Millard, along with Garyn Smith, with Wales wing Owen Lane another midfield option.

Cardiff will travel from Cape Town to Johannesburg on Saturday ahead of the following day’s clash with the Lions and then head back for the game against the Stormers.