Willis Halaholo: From Auckland gang scene to Grand Slam opportunity

Willis Halaholo signed for Cardiff Blues in 2016

From almost becoming immersed in the Auckland gang culture to now a potential Grand Slam with Wales, it has certainly been a unique journey for Willis Halaholo.

The Cardiff Blues and Wales centre has reflected on his remarkable rise to the brink of winning a Six Nations title.

The New Zealand-born centre qualifies for Wales on residency and has made his life in his adopted nation with two of his four children born in Cardiff.

Halaholo, 30, made strong contributions as a second-half replacement in victories over Scotland and England.

With a Triple Crown safely in the trophy cabinet, Wales will continue their Grand Slam push against Italy next Saturday, when Halaholo could make his first Test start.

It is all a far cry from his teenage years, when heavy drinking and gangs were part of Halaholo's life.

He also became a father during his final year in school, which ultimately proved a catalyst for the change of direction he so badly needed.

"I was just involved in a lot of heavy drinking. In my last year of high school I ended up having a daughter," said Halaholo.

"I was young at that age and it messed with my head a bit, and I ended up going down a different path with drinking and getting into a gang culture.

"It was the usual hanging around with the boys on the block. That happened for a couple of years, but I am just happy I turned things around.

"When my daughter was only a few months old, I didn't know much about being a father.

"I didn't know much until she was about two or three and started to talk. Up until then I felt like a stranger to her, and it was then I started to change things. I got there just in time.

"And about eight or nine years ago, I decided to give rugby a proper go. I dropped all the bad habits, knuckled down and finally put a bit of hard work in.

"Funnily enough, Wayne (Wales head coach Wayne Pivac) was coach of Auckland at the time. Unfortunately, I couldn't be a part of that squad at the time, so I took my talent elsewhere and tried to make a name myself down the line in New Zealand.

"We have met each other again and he (Pivac) has picked me up now, so I am happy with that."

After succeeding Warren Gatland as head coach, Pivac named Halaholo as part of his first Wales squad in November 2019 against Barbarians, but the centre suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery.

It meant almost a year on the sidelines, but Halaholo's determination and drive again reaped dividends as he gained another Wales squad call-up last month and made his debut against Scotland at Murrayfield.

"When you are injured, negative thoughts creep into your head, but now that I am here I am just taking it day by day, step by step and learning from the boys," he added.

• Rewind: Scrum V Podcast - the Willis Halaholo story

"It is special, especially for my parents back home, who worked hard for us to succeed. They moved from Tonga without a word of English and learned a new language, just trying to provide.

"All they have wanted was to see us kids succeed, and seeing me reach that level I guess made them proud.

"They (parents) have been watching from Auckland, so every Saturday night they move their mattress into the lounge and get ready to wake up at five or six in the morning with my family.

"My brother and his kids come over on a Saturday night, and they all camp in the lounge ready to watch the game.

"I have had a lot of messages from boys and older cousins and stuff who saw me at my worst coming out of high school and doing things I should not have been doing.

"Even they can't believe where I have got, and they are proud."