After more than a decade at Test level, Leigh Halfpenny’s outlook has now changed. Still fiercely dedicated to the cause with both Wales and the Scarlets, the 31-year-old now has more than just his profession to consider. A long-term absence with a concussion injury delivered into focus the importance of his health while the birth of Halfpenny’s first child – Lily – has also helped the superstar full-back go to the next level both as a person and a player.
No better was Halfpenny’s new, balanced life summed up than on Christmas Day. Halfpenny was up early that day with Lily and his partner Jess. He takes up the story. “It was a lovely Christmas morning and I wanted to enjoy it as much as I could,” Halfpenny said. “It was our first Christmas with Lily. She obviously didn’t really know what was going on, but seeing her open presents and her reaction to things was just magical. She did get tired about 10 or 11 o’clock so I managed to sneak off for an hour of practice while she was having a nap. With a game against the Ospreys the next day I wanted to keep my preparation the same. I always kick the day before a game so that was important to me. It was fantastic.”
Halfpenny has always trained on Christmas Day at his childhood club – Gorseinon – in a bid to hone his technique for Welsh rugby’s traditional festive fixtures 24 hours later.
Some things never change, but Halfpenny is now a very different individual to the one which burst on to the international scene as long ago as 2008.
In November 2018 – against Australia at Principality Stadium – he was hit late by Wallaby Samu Kerevi and suffered a nasty head injury which led to a concussion. Its impact was both long lasting and worrying, Halfpenny forced to take a lengthy spell on the sidelines before returning to action.
He was named in Wales’ squad for the 2019 Guinness Six Nations, but didn’t make an appearance as his team-mates sealed Grand Slam glory. At the time Halfpenny was unable to shift near constant headaches and dizziness, but he did return to action with the Scarlets on February 24 – that Guinness PRO14 clash with Cheetahs extra special as Lily attended a game for the first time.
“The big thing from last year was the concussion injury and how frustrating it was. There were moments when I thought I wasn’t going to play again,” Halfpenny said candidly. “You hear stories of players having to retire due to concussion and you can’t help thinking the longer it goes on, that it could be you as well. I’m hugely grateful and relieved I’ve been able to take to the field again.
“It has put things into perspective for me. The support I had throughout that time from Jess and many others was incredible. It really helped me through that difficult period.”
Now all is rosy in Halfpenny’s garden and he celebrated Lily’s first birthday in early January. He added: “I absolutely love fatherhood. It’s the best thing that has happened to us – it’s just incredible.
“Usually it’s Lily waking us up, but I can’t wait to see her each morning when I get up and when I get home from training. I can’t believe how quickly a year has gone – it only feels like yesterday Lily was coming into our lives. Seeing her grow up and realising how quickly it’s happening makes you appreciate every single day. She comes out with new words and new behaviours each day.
“It’s just brilliant. It has helped with my rugby. Lily is my priority – she’s everything. As long as she’s healthy and happy that’s all that matters. I’m more relaxed now.
“It hasn’t changed the way I approach training. I still work hard, but I take my mind off the rugby when I get home. It’s a natural switch-off. Once I leave training and I’ve done everything throughout the week to be ready for the game, then I can park it. It’s then when I address all my energy and effort into time with my little one which is very important to me.”
Halfpenny’s happiness at home has been reflected by his form on the field. Now with 85 Wales caps, he made three appearances as Wales finished fourth at last year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.
Since returning from the Far East he has enjoyed a new lease of life at the Scarlets working under New Zealand-bound head coach Brad Mooar. His attacking game has been revitalised while he remains one of the best defensive full-backs in world rugby and a supreme kicker.
Halfpenny hopes to carry that form into facing Italy this afternoon and add more success to what has already been a glittering career.
“It only feels like yesterday I was one of the younger boys,” Halfpenny said. “I’m one of the older ones now and it’s great for us as a squad to have fantastically talented youngsters coming through. It’s strengthening us as a team and there is a lot of competition.
“It does make me realise I’m probably in the latter stages of my career. When I look back on it, it has all gone so quick. It’s gone in the blink of an eye. It’s incredible. It’s always a privilege to hear your name read out for the Welsh squad and even though I am in the latter stages of my career, I’m still ambitious. I’m still hungry to achieve things, but I also want to enjoy every moment I have as much as possible at the moment.”
Halfpenny has already achieved plenty – a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2012, another Championship title the following year, and a total of 733 Welsh points to date. He has been on three British & Irish Lions tours and won European titles with Cardiff Blues and Toulon.
His relentless and pinpoint kicking from the tee has guided Wales to victory time and time again over the last decade and he is third on Wales’ all-time points scorers list behind current coaches Stephen Jones and Neil Jenkins. “Last season the boys were absolutely outstanding. To achieve a Grand Slam was incredible and it’s now hugely exciting looking ahead to this Six Nations,” Halfpenny said.
“Our goal is to go and win the title again. That’s the challenge for us as a squad. We’ve got new coaches and management and that’s really exciting as well.
“It is a new era for the squad. What was achieved with the previous management was just incredible and the feeling in the group has been brilliant these last two weeks. The boys have come in full of energy and we can’t wait to get started with this Six Nations. Italy will be an extremely tough challenge. Both teams will want to get off to a positive start to the campaign. Having played Italy you know they do pose threats and they’re a tough team to crack. We’re going to have to be at our best to do that both in attack and defence. We want to get our Six Nations campaign off to the start we want which is with a win.”
Whatever happens in the next few months, Halfpenny will go home happy with his lot. Win, lose or draw, Jess and Lily will always put a smile back on his face.
A version of this interview will feature in Saturday’s Wales v Italy match programme.
