Posted by There’s been a lot of popular players to enter the 100 Club over the years, but I’m struggling to recall a more emotional entry than that seen at the Arms Park against Bulls recently.
When Willis Halaholo walked out of the tunnel with his wife and five daughters it capped a tumultuous 12 months during which he had dealt with two bad injuries, his contract expiring and a spell unemployed not knowing where his next job may take him.
A lot has been written about him as a player and a man, by myself and many others. His attitude and spirit was hugely inspiring, the quality of his play never doubted, and the way he has taken Cardiff and Wales into his heart since arriving in 2016 a real gift to the club, city and country as a whole.
It was no surprise to see the 33-year-old put in a top draw performance on the night with some trademark hot stepping and solid defensive work, quite remarkable when you consider it was only a third professional level start in 13 months. No matter the set back it seems that nothing can stop this man’s dancing feet, much to the chagrin of opposition players everywhere.
Of course a lot of that will be because of Willis’ own personal toughness; both physically and mentally. His life story has been widely reported so we know that he battled back from a tough time in his personal life as a young man to make it as a successful rugby player, as well as a husband and father.
But what we have seen during the last 12 months is just how much his family have supported him through a difficult period that will no doubt have had an impact on them too.
Sandra Halaholo, Willis’ wife, is a regular uploader of vlogs to YouTube and has partially documented the family’s journey over the last few years, including the injuries suffered by her husband, his recovery and the way she and their five daughters, aka the princess squad, have helped support him through that.
It’s a stark reminder that although at times we can put professional athletes on a pedestal, and in some ways they almost seem separate from us regular folk, they have home lives and family lives with loved ones living through the highs and lows of their careers right alongside them.
Willis’ family were there when he got injured the first time, got injured the second time, through the treatment and rehabilitation, when contracts were expiring and the future was uncertain, through to the slow comeback and the new contract, all while dealing with their own uncertainty of not knowing whether they would be moving at short notice.
This all coming after having already uprooted their lives to travel across the world to Cardiff, or being born and raised away from their wider family.
It’s a gift they’ve given him to support his career, and also one they have given us as supporters of the Blue and Blacks allowing their husband and father to run out at the Arms Park and leave defenders grasping at thin air.
So when Willis Halaholo took the field with his family to mark his 100th first team appearance for the club it was a wonderful moment for him, but also an opportunity to acknowledge his wife and daughters who have been so instrumental in everything he has achieved.
Cardiff Rugby Life 