Wales international Willis Halaholo has revealed the devastating news that the offer he has received to stay in the country would not “be enough to feed my family.”
The Welsh Rugby Union and the regions have agreed a deal in principle which will set the new budget from next year.
Although it has yet to formally signed, should it go through it would see the regions reduce the amount they can offer players.
Squad sizes are set to be slashed and, as a result, some players will be forced to look elsewhere.
Halaholo could be one of them after appearing to receive a derisory offer to continue playing for Cardiff.
Rejected offers overseas
“Getting an offer that won’t even be enough to feed my family. Pay reduction I was willing because of the love I have for the club and also the feeling of unfinished business in the red (Wales) jersey knowing I haven’t been given that proper chance to show I can truly add,” he wrote in a heartbreaking post on Twitter.
“But I can’t accept an offer that can’t even feed my family on a month to month basis. Regrets are running through my mind as I turned (down) offers to go abroad back in October in the hope of still representing both jerseys. But now I’m hating myself because this situation we are in.
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“The worst part is knowing my coach wants to keep me but the money doesn’t add up and would mean we would be stretched and struggle to provide for the kids.
“Not only that but now I have to wait and have hope that someone will pick up an injured player.
“Hoping that my highlights and the potential of what I can bring would be enough to get something at least enough to provide for my family and then play myself into a position to ask for what I feel I’m really worth maybe the following season.
“At the moment it’s just dark times of uncertainty and possibly just have to move back to New Zealand.”
The news is a double whammy for Halaholo, who is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering an Achilles injury.
He has not played since October due a hamstring issue but was due to return for Saturday’s United Rugby Championship clash with Ulster.
However, the Wales centre could now be out for a further 12 months following the latest setback, with him set to undergo surgery.
Dark times
“Don’t know how many more of this I can take. Worked so hard to get back for today’s game and then a freak accident just happens to my Achilles … dark times at the moment. Don’t know how to feel,” he wrote.
“Thanks to the supporters and everyone that has been in touch with encouragement. My biggest disappointment was I was looking forward to reaching the 100 club in three more games. Something I really wanted to do.
“Hopefully it will still be possible if things get right contract wise, if not it will be something I look back on gutted about.”
Cardiff’s director of rugby 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’ll be our players next year.
“They knew the decision the club had made before their injuries. If we haven’t got money to have competitive offers for Jarrod (Evans), why would we have for Willis and Dmitri?”