The pair have 38 Test caps between them but met again in an amateur match
Former Wales internationals Willis Halaholo and Hadleigh Parkes reunited as they went head to head with each other in a match on the other side of the world.
The two centres – who have a combined 38 Test caps between them – now play their rugby in New Zealand after leaving their lives in Wales behind. Former Cardiff star Halaholo left Arms Park last year after 112 games for the region before returning to the country of his birth and turning out for NPC side Bay of Plenty as well as his old junior side, Suburbs.
Grand Slam winner Parkes, meanwhile, departed Wales in 2020 after six years with the Scarlets and, after a stint in Japan, recently moved back to his native Auckland to rejoin amateur side Grammar TEC who he last represented back in 2014.
The pair came face to face again last week as Grammar TEC took on Suburbs in an Auckland Club Rugby Premier Men’s Division 1 fixture, hosted by Parkes’ side.
With both men wearing the No. 12 jersey for their respective teams, it was the former Scarlets ace who claimed bragging rights as his side ran in seven tries to Suburbs’ two. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
While neither Parkes nor Halaholo got on the scoresheet themselves, they were both happy to be reunited with each other on the pitch as the latter said it was “just like old times”.
“It was good, just like old times,” said Halaholo, who at 34 is three years younger than Parkes. “We played against each other a lot of times. It was good, the old fella’s still got it! Just barking orders and taking his opportunities when he can.”
On his return to amateur rugby, he added: “It’s refreshing, it’s nice. It’s good to get amongst the grassroots and be reminded of where it all started.
“Just getting to know lots of the other players and knowing they don’t play professional rugby, they go to work and come and train. It’s good to be back in this environment.”
Meanwhile, Parkes added: “It was good work for the boys. Certainly, Suburbs, they’ve got some big powerful boys coming through and we worked very hard for it.
“The elements certainly didn’t help tonight, it was pretty windy and wet.
“It’s awesome to see [Halaholo] back playing club footy as well, giving back to the community and Auckland club rugby. It’s a good competition and it’s awesome that people are out there having a run around.”
The reunion comes after Halaholo was left without a club after not being offered a deal ahead of the current Super Rugby season.
Despite earning rave reviews during a standout season in the NPC, in which he helped lead Bay of Plenty to the final, Halaholo was not offered a contract by any team ahead of the campaign, leading him to drop a potential retirement hint by taking to Instagram and writing: “They said I’m old. Oh well, better get on the tools”.
