Willis Halaholo was grateful to be reunited with Rey Lee-Lo as Cardiff claimed a first win in 2024.
The duo have been a mainstay at the club since 2015 and 2016, respectively, partnering each other on more 60 occasions.
Both have earned cult hero status and sit among the club’s finest overseas signings but with their contracts coming to an end, Halaholo was thrilled to be back in action for the Blue and Blacks.
He said: “I got a bit emotional before the game but it was good. It was just an opportunity for us to rub shoulders again with the young boys and see what we can do out there.
“I loved it out there. If that's our last time fighting together, then it's a good way to finish. It's been awesome. It's been a great journey. Everyone knows I've had three kids here and the club has helped me out.
“Me and Rey are pretty much part of the furniture here, so it's good. There's a good crop of younger boys coming through. It's about getting the boys out there and being around them, giving them a bit of experience and hopefully, you know, in five, six years time they talk about how we help them out.
“But it was just nice to get out there, get the legs going again and be a part of the team again. Just seeing if I’ve still got it, so me and my mate outside me enjoyed it. For us it was just about steering the ship.”
It has been a frustrating season for the Blue and Blacks, who have come agonisingly close to victory on so many more occasions than the four they have secured. On nine occasions they have picked up a losing bonus-point and Halaholo was delighted to get over the line.
Cardiff also did it in style with Halaholo scoring one of their five tries to remain unbeaten against the Sharks in three fixtures.
Next up is a Welsh derby against the Ospreys on Judgement Day at the Cardiff City Stadium.
He added: “That means a lot. You don't want to get too complacent with putting in performances like that over the season and then start dipping off. So, we wanted to make a statement and hopefully finish on a high.
“It's a judgment day for us, a good occasion. Hopefully we'll see how it goes, if I'm involved in that or not.
“But if that was the last time, I just want to thank everyone that's been on my side and supporting me, especially through the dark times. It's been a journey, especially the last couple of years. It's been tough, but the supporters have been really helpful in terms of getting back out there and being able to run around with these boys.
“Again, that's all due to my family, first of all, and also the supporters.”