by Wales international Willis Halaholo has revealed the devastating news that the offer he received to remain in the country “would not be enough to support my family”.
Welsh rugby union and the regions have reached an agreement in principle that will set the new budget from next year.
Although it hasn’t been officially signed yet, should it happen, regions would reduce the amount they can offer players.
Squad sizes are said to be reduced and as a result some players will be forced to look elsewhere.
Halaholo could be one of them after apparently receiving a taunting offer to continue playing for Cardiff.
Rejected offers abroad
“To get an offer that isn’t even enough to support my family. I was willing to take a pay cut because of the love I have for the club and also because of the feeling of unfinished work in the red [Wales] Jersey knowing I didn’t get the right chance to show that I really can make a difference,” he wrote in a heartbreaking post on Twitter.
“But I can’t accept an offer that even my family can’t feed on a monthly basis. Regret runs through my mind as I turned down offers to go abroad in October hoping to still represent both shirts. But now I hate myself because we are in this situation.
“The worst thing is knowing my coach wants to keep me but the money isn’t enough and would mean we would be overwhelmed and struggling to care for the kids.
“Not only that, now I have to wait and hope someone picks up an injured player.
“Hoping that my highlights and the potential of what I can bring are enough to at least get enough for my family and then empower me to ask for what I think I’m really worth.” am, maybe in the following season.
“Right now it’s just dark times of uncertainty and may just have to return to New Zealand.”
The news is a double whammy for Halaholo, who is on the sidelines for another extended stint after suffering an Achilles injury.
He has not played since October with a hamstring problem but was expected to return for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster.
However, the Welsh center could be out for another 12 months following the recent setback as he undergoes surgery.
dark times
“I don’t know how many more of these I can take. I worked so hard to come back for today’s game and then a crazy accident with my Achilles just happens… dark times right now. I don’t know how to feel,” he wrote.
“Thank you to the supporters and everyone who reached out for encouragement. My biggest disappointment was looking forward to making Club 100 in three more games. Something I really wanted to do.
“Hopefully it will still be possible if things go right contractually, if not then I’ll look back at it.”
Cardiff rugby director Young said: “We are there to look after rehab for Willis and Dmitri (Arhip) but where they are going next year I don’t know. I don’t know if they will be our players next year.
“They knew the decision the club had made prior to their injuries. If we don’t have money to make competitive bids for Jarrod (Evans), why should we have it for Willis and Dmitri?”
CONTINUE READING: Ulster and Connacht defeat Cardiff and Dragons respectively on Welsh soil
The article Wales: Injured center Willis Halaholo in ‘dark times’ over contract uncertainty appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
