Willis Halaholo retires from professional rugby at 36
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- Willis Halaholo, 36, announced his retirement on social media, citing a series of niggling injuries and saying his body 'has had enough'
- Halaholo qualified for Wales under residency rules and won nine caps, the last in April 2022, and went on to play three times for Tonga
- Halaholo began his career in New Zealand with Southland and Waikato before winning a Super Rugby title with the Hurricanes
- Halaholo moved to Cardiff in 2016 and played more than 100 games over an eight-year spell at the Arms Park
- Halaholo was sidelined for 12 months with serious leg injuries during his Cardiff tenure
- Halaholo left Cardiff at the end of the 2023-24 season to return to New Zealand with National Provincial Championship side Bay of Plenty
- Halaholo plans to turn his attention to coaching following his retirement
Why it matters: Cardiff lose a centurion — 100+ appearances over eight seasons — while Wales close a chapter on the residency-era player pathway that delivered Halaholo nine caps; his pivot to coaching means his influence on the game continues beyond the field.
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