Leigh Halfpenny does not wear the look of a man under intense pressure for his place in the Wales starting line-up. At 29 years of age and with 78 Wales caps to his name, along with four for the British & Irish Lions, the Scarlets full-back understands that life lived in the international spotlight means that any dip in form, whether they are perceived or otherwise, will be laid bare.
Ahead of Saturday’s eagerly anticipated Six Nations opener between Wales and Scotland at the Principality stadium, it seems that Halfpenny is coming under fire from all corners. Last week JJ Williams took his turn to question the 2013 Lions player of the series against Australia who, according to Williams, has “lost his spark” and must rediscover his attacking threat. The clamour for change at No 15 in Wales is palpable but as injuries to key players mount, there is every likelihood that Warren Gatland will name Halfpenny to face Scotland.
“Leigh has a lot of credit in the bank from what he has done for us in his rugby career,” Gatland said. “With Dan Biggar injured and Rhys Priestland not available, you have to consider the goal-kicking as well. It is a big part of the success for us, goal-kicking percentages in big games.”
Last season saw Halfpenny land 23 out of 26 kicks in the Six Nations; a success rate of 88.5% compared with Owen Farrell’s 78% with 25 kicks from 32 attempts. Ireland’s Paddy Jackson (14 from 15) and France’s Camille Lopez (25 from 28) had slightly better percentage rates but when factors such as distance, angle, score difference and which side of the pitch the kick was taken from were considered, the Welsh kicker’s value proved to be unrivalled.
Major surgery on his knee in 2015, which robbed him of the opportunity to play in the World Cup in England, has inevitably affected a player who never possessed lightning pace but does possess unerring accuracy off the kicking tee and remains a commanding presence under the high ball. Gatland believes that Halfpenny’s positional play is the best in the world.
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His head to head with Scotland’s rapier No 15 Stuart Hogg on Saturday will provide a fascinating contrast in styles. In cricketing terms, it is Alastair Cook against David Warner. Both have their merits but it is Hogg’s attacking verve which lifts the crowd in contrast with Halfpenny’s percentage-based game.
Hogg, a banker to start at full-back for the Lions against New Zealand last summer before injury cruelly cut short his tour, was electric on his return for Glasgow against Exeter last weekend and will be one of Scotland’s most potent attacking threats on Saturday.
“Stuart Hogg is a class act, a fantastic player,” Halfpenny said. “I was devastated for him on that Lions tour with the injury that ended the tour for him. He was in fantastic form going on that tour and the accolades he picked up during last year’s Six Nations were absolutely deserved. He’s a huge threat with ball in hand.”
Halfpenny’s perceived lack of attacking threat is overplayed. He lies third behind Neil Jenkins and Stephen Jones on the list of all-time Wales points scorers with 647 while his try-scoring record of 12 in 78 Tests stands comparison with England’s Mike Brown (11 tries in 64 Tests) and Ireland’s Rob Kearney (14 tries in 81 Tests).
Hogg’s record of 17 tries in 55 Tests stands apart among home union full-backs.
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“As a 15, defence is a huge part of your game,” Halfpenny said. “You’re the last line of defence and that comes with a huge responsibility. If a team does break down your first line of defence as the full-back you have the responsibility to break down that attack. I enjoy that one-on-one challenge at 15 and working with your wings to try to nullify that attacking threat.
“In terms of how I go into a game I consider all my responsibilities for that position. Whether it be positioning for fielding a kick for the corners or short behind the defence or high in the air. Attacking is also really important as a 15 and I’m always working hard on that part of my game.
“The way Scarlets play is helping me to improve my attacking game. I’ve got a long way to go and it’s a different style to the one I’ve played before with Toulon and Wales. It takes time to adjust to but I’m thoroughly enjoying it.”
With Taulupe Faletau (knee), Sam Warburton (knee), Rhys Webb (knee), Jonathan Davies (ankle), Rhys Priestland (hamstring) and potentially Liam Williams (hip) all set to be missing for the duration of the tournament, Wales have already lost a core of hugely experienced players.
It is unlikely that Gatland will jettison another unless his hand is forced. Liam Williams’ absence with a hip problem which looks increasingly likely to require surgery and the inexperience of Josh Adams and Steff Evans, Gatland’s other full-back options, means that Halfpenny is highly likely to feature in the early stages of the Six Nations, at least. Whatever lies in store for him, Halfpenny remains calm and focused after his return to Scarlets from Toulon last summer.
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“I had a great time at Toulon,” he said. “It was a brilliant experience and I met some amazing people there. Guys from all over the world who have achieved so much in the game. Training with those guys was unbelievable. The highlight was winning the European Cup at Twickenham in 2015. It was a special achievement for the team and the club to win it for the third time in a row. But I’m thoroughly enjoying being back home in Wales, close to my friends and family.”
Four Tests last autumn provided only fleeting glimpses of the all-court game Gatland is looking to promote but Halfpenny believes that Wales must stick to their guns and continue to put width on the ball.
“We took huge steps forward in the autumn and it’s incredibly important we kick on and improve in the Six Nations. That’s what we’re always looking to do. To get better and winning trophies as a squad,” he said. “The long-term goal is still to win the World Cup. That belief is still there.”
The winds of change may be blowing in Wales, but Halfpenny remains a key figure in Gatland’s plans.
ON TV SATURDAY
Wales v Scotland
BBC1, 2.15pm
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Leigh Halfpenny is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover has a heritage in rugby at all levels, from grassroots to elite, supporting the game for two decades. @LandRoverRugby #WeDealInReal
