2019 Wales vs Barbarians

Kiwi Duo McNicholl & Halaholo To Suit Up For Wales

Kiwi Duo McNicholl & Halaholo To Suit Up For Wales

New Zealanders Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo will suit up for Wales next weekend against the Barbarians.

Nov 20, 2019 by Alex Rees
Kiwi Duo McNicholl & Halaholo To Suit Up For Wales

Upon their completion of three years residency in Wales, New Zealand-born players Johnny McNicholl and Willis Halaholo will now be eligible to represent Wales at the international level. 

Watch Wales take on the Barbarians, Nov. 30th, as Wayne Pivac takes on Warren Gatland in his first game in charge of Wales!

The two follow in the footsteps of fellow Kiwi, center Hadleigh Parkes, who debuted for Wales in 2017 and played in every game during Wales' run to the World Cup semifinals this autumn. 


McNicholl played for the Crusaders in Super Rugby from 2013-2016 before making the jump overseas to play for the Scarlets. In his first season with the Welsh region, the fullback/winger helped lead them to their first ever Pro12 title. 

He has scored 24 tries in 43 appearances for the Scarlets. 


Halaholo played sparingly for Super Rugby side the Hurricanes in 2015, sitting behind the likes of All Black legends Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith. 

In 2016 the center earned a consistent place in the first team, going on to start in the Hurricanes' 20-3 victory in the Super Rugby Grand Final over the Lions. 


He switched over to the Cardiff Blues the following season, and has appeared 41 times for the region, scoring 12 tries and helping the Blues win the European Challenge cup in 2018. 

The two Kiwis bring a dynamism that is hard to come by, and new Wales coach Wayne Pivac (also from New Zealand) was quick to name them in his first side under his watch. 

Tune into FloRugby on Nov. 30th to see how these two go in their first Wales outings vs the Barbarians!