Halfpenny put through gruelling low-oxygen workout just hours before surprise start
Leigh Halfpenny helped Wales reach the summit of rugby union’s world rankings just hours after a punishing training session in an altitude room.
Halfpenny returned to Test rugby in Wales’ 13-6 World Cup warm-up victory over England at the Principality Stadium.It was the Scarlets full-back’s first international appearance since he suffered concussion after a challenge by Wallabies centre Samu Kerevi when Wales beat Australia nine months ago.
But it proved an unexpected call-up, being drafted in to start from outside the selected match-day 23 when Liam Williams experienced hamstring tightness during Wales’ final preparations less than an hour before kick-off.
Having initially not been required against England, Halfpenny’s training schedule featured gruelling work-outs on Friday and Saturday before he joined pre-match routines at the stadium as part of Wales’ wider 31-man group.
Halfpenny, though, dusted himself down, played the full 80 minutes and kicked a late penalty that sealed Wales’ 11th successive home win and saw them replace New Zealand as the world’s number one team.
“I’m not going to lie – we had a couple of tough sessions in the last couple of days,” Halfpenny said.
“But you get the call, and that adrenaline just kicks in. It’s an opportunity to put that jersey on.
“On Friday, we had speed endurance training. We did Broncos, which are basically shuttles, and the boys put it in on Friday after the captain’s run.
“Then on Saturday morning I had leg weights followed by a watt bike session in the altitude room. (I) wasn’t walking too well, I will be honest.”
Halfpenny had missed Wales’ last eight Tests, including the Six Nations title and Grand Slam-winning campaign earlier this year, but he acquitted himself well during an intense encounter.
“You never know when it could be the last time that you wear that jersey,” he added. “You just keep working hard.
“It was a real tough Test match, and the boys dug deep at times when we needed to. It was a great result.
“We’ve got that momentum going now ahead of our (training) camp in Turkey. The boys will be putting the hard work in again.”
Wales’ World Cup training squad will work at the purpose-built Gloria Sports Arena in Belek on Turkey’s southern Mediterranean coast, where day-time temperatures currently average 33 degrees.
Players who suffered knocks against England – the likes of Dan Biggar, James Davies, Jake Ball, Aaron Wainwright and Gareth Davies – were set to be assessed before departure, but Wales head coach Warren Gatland does not anticipate any serious issues.
Reflecting on his team’s latest win – their 15th from the last 16 starts – Gatland said: “You’re playing England, so you have to get yourself right.
“The boys knew how important it was, psychologically. Had we lost to England, that potentially has an impact later on if we met them in the World Cup.
“It will be one hell of a battle if we do meet in the quarter-final of a World Cup.
“So mentally, they got themselves on the edge. They prepared well and did a good job.”
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
50 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
50 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
50 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
50 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
50 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
50 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
50 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments