New Wales squad member Willis Halaholo has suffered an injury blow just days after being called up by Wayne Pivac.
The Cardiff Blues centre had to be helped from the field at the Arms Park tonight after hurting his knee during the first half of the Challenge Cup clash with Leicester.
It’s an untimely setback for the Kiwi-born 29-year-old, who was called up to the Wales set-up for the first time last Tuesday after recently qualifying on the three-year residency rule.
He would have been in with a good shout of featuring against the Barbarians next Saturday, as he’s one of only three centres in new coach Pivac’s 35-strong squad.
But now his participation in that match must be in some doubt, although he was able to walk down the tunnel at half-time, which offers hope that it's not too serious a problem.
Speaking after the game, Blues head coach John Mulvihill said: "Willis took a bit of a knock on the knee.
"He is icing it. Hopefully he will be okay."
Halaholo had been looking sharp and dangerous against the Tigers before picking up his injury around the 25 minute mark.
He suffered the damage while going on a typical side-stepping break, leaving two or three defenders clutching thin air with a series of steps.
His searing break earned a ruck penalty when he was eventually brought to ground, but worryingly he stayed down, signalling there was a problem.
He underwent treatment, having his knee strapped up, and soldiered on for a few minutes.
But he had to admit defeat in the end, coming off just after Leicester claimed the opening try of the match on 32 minutes.
Now we await news on the injury.
