His dedication to rugby has always been absolute. And on Saturday, Leigh Halfpenny will rightly reap the rewards of all his hard work as he becomes only the ninth Welshman to make 100 appearances for his country.
The 34-year-old doesn’t need to pass the milestone of a century of Tests to be appreciated in his home country. Halfpenny’s brilliant career and extraordinary achievements have already secured his place in Welsh rugby folklore. But at the same time, it is quite right that he should reach such a milestone.
“I can’t think of a Welshman who deserves more for his service to the country,” Wales back George North said of Halfpenny.
The two have been teammates with Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Halfpenny already has a total of 103 Test caps, if you combine his 99 for Wales and four for the Lions. He would have made three figures for his country a long time ago if he hadn’t suffered a series of serious injuries.
Halfpenny suffered significant knee ligament damage in 2021. There have been countless other punches over the years. But the remarkable thing about Halfpenny is that he always keeps coming back, mainly thanks to his remarkable ability to recover.
Leigh Halfpenny is preparing for his 100th appearance for Wales this weekend
Halfpenny has been a loyal player in Welsh rugby and would have made an earlier appearance had he not been injured
“When you talk about role models as a professional, you can’t get a harder worker than Leigh in terms of preparing for his analysis, training and recovery,” said Wales head coach Warren Gatland. “He is the ultimate professional.
‘Halfpenny is known for even practicing his kicking on Christmas Day at his local rugby club, Gorseinon.
His home region of the Ospreys did not take him on, prompting him to move to Cardiff instead. From there the only way was up. After seven tries in his first six Cardiff starts, a Welsh debut soon followed in 2008. Halfpenny also won the Challenge Cup with the Welsh capital in 2010. His club career with Cardiff, Toulon and the Scarlets has been outstanding.
He won the Champions Cup with Toulon in 2015. While living on the Cote d’Azur, Halfpenny made regular early morning trips to the beach to fetch cold water from the sea. He has left no stone unturned in his quest to be the best. But it is with Wales and the Lions where Halfpenny has reached his highest pinnacle.
“I thought you were going to ask me about this and I can’t possibly answer without sounding like a married couple,” said North when asked about Halfpenny.
‘We’ve been doing it together for 14 years, through thick and thin, in sickness and in health! On big moments he has stepped up and delivered for us. “He’s had a rough time with injuries and it’s kept him at 99 long enough. But what a player.
“If young players want to look up to someone on how to do it, how to take care of yourself on and off the pitch, look to Leigh. He’s a very good friend of mine. “I am delighted to take to the field with him on Saturday for his 100th cap. He’s probably the only guy who earns it more than most. I can’t really say any higher.’
Halfpenny’s kick from the tee is relentlessly accurate, while his defensive positioning as a fullback isn’t far behind in terms of attributes. If a Welsh fan wanted someone to take a kick with their life on the line, many would probably choose Halfpenny.
Halfpenny has been and still is one of the most prominent figures in Wales
Halfpenny’s (left) kicking off the tee is relentlessly accurate, while his fullback defensive positioning isn’t far behind in terms of attributes
The other option would certainly be former fly-half Neil Jenkins, Halfpenny’s mentor and close friend. Quiet off the field – at least in front of journalists – Halfpenny has always been an unwilling media personality. He prefers talking on the field and boy, did he.
He was a central figure as Wales won a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012. The following year, Halfpenny was Player of the Championship in another Welsh title and was awarded the same accolade with the Lions in Australia after kicking them to a famous series win. the Wallabies.
To sum up his brilliant 2013, Halfpenny was named Welsh Sports Personality of the Year and was only stopped from winning the UK version of the award by Andy Murray’s win at Wimbledon. Toulon and the riches of the French Riviera soon came knocking.
But fame and fortune have not changed Halfpenny, who eventually returned to Wales with the Scarlets and is now looking for a place in what would be his third World Cup. “He’s not the greatest man in the world,” Gatland said.
“He started his career on the wing and then was brilliant as position 15. He’s lost a yard or two in pace – he admits it – but he’s a great goalkeeper and is probably still the best defensive full-back in the world. It’s a great honor for him. I am happy for him. It’s been going on for a while with injuries. Hopefully it will be a great opportunity for him and his family.”
Halfpenny (left) suffered significant knee ligament damage in 2021 but bounced back as he has so many times before
Halfpenny is joined by his fiancé Jess and two young children at Principality Stadium for his landmark match against England in the first World Cup warm-up. He helped Wales to the semi-finals in 2011 and 2019, but missed the 2015 tournament after a serious injury in the pre-season game with Italy.
‘I absolutely love him. He’s an incredible guy,” said young Welsh winger Louis Rees-Zammit of Halfpenny. “Off the field, he’s so caring and always there for you, especially when you’re looking at analytics and things like that. For me to come in as a young 18 year old, he helped me a lot.
“It will be a huge achievement for him when he gets his 100th Wales cap and he fully deserves it.”
George North (centre) has played alongside Halfpenny (right) at Wales for many years and is very supportive of his teammate
Halfpenny has never been one for the spotlight and is always willing to talk on the pitch and boy has he
Wales assistant coach Jonathan Thomas added: ‘I was still playing when Leigh made his debut, which shows how long he’s been at it!
‘It is very impressive to be an international for fifteen years. Leigh faced a lot of adversity early in his career and life is about how you deal with adversity. He has always been relentless with his preparation. He has been the ultimate Welshman and team man.’
Halfpenny will lead Wales against England and will be cheered on by a Welsh crowd expected to be close to 65,000. But Halfpenny won’t be saying goodbye to this one. Currently without a club after being released by the Scarlets, he has even more to give.
The World Cup in France is his next target and you wouldn’t bet on him making it with Wales head coach Gatland, his number 1 fan.