 Leigh Halfpenny was playing semi-pro club rugby a little over a year ago |
Late Lions arrival Leigh Halfpenny admits he feared he would not make it to South Africa after being left behind to recover from a thigh injury. The Wales wing arrived on Tuesday and makes his debut on Saturday in the third Lions tour game against the Free State Cheetahs in Bloemfontein. "It was devastating, just really disappointing. The world had crashed down on me," said the 20-year-old. "I just thought my tour was over and it was taken away from me that quickly." Halfpenny took heart though when he was told that "as soon as I was 100% fit, they'd bring me back out." "That gave me hope and made me more determined then to work hard back home and to make sure I get out here as soon as possible," he said. "I'm ready to go now so I'm looking forward to the weekend." Intensive treatment at the Cardiff Blues ensured Halfpenny would be cleared to join the Lions and he arrived in time to witness Wednesday's 72-10 hammering of the Golden Lions at Ellis Park.  | It's quite tough at this altitude. The lungs are bursting at times trying to take the oxygen in |
He said: "It's absolutely superb [to be here]. When I got that news on Monday I was going to be flying out that night, it was a great feeling and just really excited to be back and looking forward to getting a game under my belt now." At 20 years of age the youngest Lions tourist says he is still acclimatising to training at altitude on the Highveld. He said: "It's quite tough at this altitude. The lungs are bursting at time trying to take the oxygen in. It's just great to be training back with the squad. "I'm just getting into the rhythm of things and learning the moves and the pattern. So I'm looking forward to the game on Saturday." Halfpenny is keen to share game time with fellow Blue Jamie Roberts at some stage following the centre's impressive displays in the first two games. "He's [Roberts] playing well at the moment," said Halfpenny. "He's giving us good go-forward so it's great for us outside backs to play off when we've got the space, when the inside backs are creating the space for us." The former Ospreys academy member remains amazed at the progress made since starring for Wales at last year's International Rugby Board Under-20 World Championship in his homeland. "I can't wait [to play]. When I receive that jersey it will be an immense feeling," said Halfpenny. "It gives me shivers just thinking about running out on that pitch with a Lions jersey on." Halfpenny's injury scare prompted the Lions management to call up Wales' James Hook to provide additional goal-kicking options and cover at fly-half and inside centre. Hook will stay with the squad for the entire tour, effectively taking the place of injured Welshman Tom Shanklin. The Lions initially did not name a replacement for Shanklin when he was ruled out for 16 weeks with a dislocated shoulder, before eventually turning to Hook. Before departure the Lions also lost the services of Ireland scrum-half Tomas O'Leary - who broke an ankle and was replaced by Scotland's Mike Blair - and O'Leary's Munster team-mate Alan Quinlan after the back-row was handed a 12-week suspension. | 606: DEBATE |
Halfpenny has enjoyed a meteoric rise to the top after going from playing semi-pro club rugby a year ago to earning the call to face South Africa this summer. He was a surprise Wales starter, then aged just 19, against the Springboks last November as the world champions came to Cardiff. Wales lost 20-15 in a thriller, with Halfpenny opening his Test points account with a penalty when used as a long-range kicking option. The youngster did not take long to score his first try for his country, grabbing a brace against Canada the following week, and he also featured in the third November Test, a 29-9 defeat against New Zealand. Halfpenny was left out of the following week's famous win over Australia as Wales coach Warren Gatland opted for the greater experience of Mark Jones. But Gatland - who is one of McGeechan's assistants in South Africa - restored Halfpenny for the Six Nations opener against Scotland. Halfpenny rewarded the faith shown in him with a third Test try and then added a crucial fourth, plus a penalty, in the next round's win over England. He also played against France but missed out for the final two games against Italy and Ireland. However, some fine performances for the Blues - especially in their victorious EDF Energy Cup campaign and their run to the Heineken Cup semi-finals - saw Halfpenny get a Lions berth. "I've come so far in a year, it's just unbelievable," said Halfpenny.
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?