Halfpenny: I won't miss again
Wales had a chance to win the World Cup semifinal against France, but Leigh Halfpenny’s last-gasp long-range penalty dipped heart-breakingly under the crossbar and Les Bleus stole home 9-8.
The player who missed the 75th minute penalty after prop Nicolas Mas had been ruled offside at a ruck was fullback Leigh Halfpenny, who has vowed that he will do his utmost to avoid a repeat as Wales meet France on Saturday with the Six Nations Grand Slam up for grabs.
“I said after the World Cup that if I get another chance to nail an opportunity like that, I’m going to take it,” Halfpenny said.
The difference between now and the World Cup is that the full-back has passed from being a specialist long-range kicker to someone who takes all pots at goal given the varying success of Rhys Preistland, James Hook and Stephen Jones.
Wales were hampered by faulty kicking at the World Cup, with an average of 11 kickable points missed in narrow defeats to South Africa (17-16), France and Australia (21-18), but they now seem to have settled on a trusted goal-kicker.
“I enjoy the pressure and these occasions – that’s what I play rugby for,” said Halfpenny, who was successful with a late kick that saw Wales beat Ireland 23-21 in their Six Nations opener.
“The one I got against Ireland was probably better than scoring a try before because I knew how much hard work, time and effort I have put in to get my kicking up to the standard it is at the moment.”
Halfpenny added: “Of course, it’s nerve-wracking when you get a big kick but I will treat it just like any other match, should the opportunity come my way this weekend.”
Wales skills coach Neil Jenkins, his country’s record points scorer and a veritable metronome with his goal-kicking ability in his playing days, said Halfpenny deserved his promotion to front-line kicker.
“Leigh’s practice has been incredible and he so rarely misses or has a bad day,” Jenkins said.
“It’s probably taken Leigh a bit longer than he would have hoped (to become first-choice kicker) but since he’s had his chances, he’s taken it and there’s no looking back for the kid now.
“He’s a frontliner and it’s going to be very difficult for anyone to get it off him.”
Another Welsh player looking to redeem himself against France will be captain Sam Warburton, who was red-carded after 20 minutes of the World Cup semi-final for a spear tackle on Vincent Clerc.
His sending off played a crucial part in Wales going down to France, his ball-snaffling ability at the breakdown missed for the duration of the game when play opened up.
“I’ve played France twice and haven’t made it past the 20-minute mark on both occasions!” joked Warburton.
“I was injured the first game and then there was obviously the semi-final, so it would be nice to stay on for a bit longer this time around and have a good outing against Thierry Dusautoir, world player of the year and someone I respect highly.”
AFP
