{"id":293626,"date":"2023-10-31T17:24:16","date_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:24:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/?p=293626"},"modified":"2023-10-31T17:24:16","modified_gmt":"2023-10-31T17:24:16","slug":"leigh-halfpenny-says-final-wales-appearance-will-be-pretty-special","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstoft.com\/rugby-union\/leigh-halfpenny-says-final-wales-appearance-will-be-pretty-special\/","title":{"rendered":"Leigh Halfpenny says final Wales appearance will be \u2018pretty special\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Leigh Halfpenny expects a \u201cpretty special\u201d Wales send-off on Saturday while hoping to continue playing for another two seasons.<\/p>\n

Halfpenny announced his decision to retire from international duty following Wales\u2019 exit from the recent Rugby World Cup and will make his final appearance in the red jersey against the Barbarians in Cardiff.<\/p>\n

But the 34-year-old is set to prolong his career, with Japan considered to be the most likely destination ahead of an official announcement next week.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all done,\u201d Halfpenny said ahead of his Millennium Stadium farewell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a contract for another season and then we\u2019ll see what happens after that. I\u2019m looking for that to be announced next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halfpenny won 101 caps for Wales \u2013 the Barbarians game, which is being staged to pay tribute to the country\u2019s record cap holder Alun Wyn Jones, is uncapped \u2013 and scored 801 points after making his debut at the age of 19 against South Africa in November 2008.<\/p>\n

He made four Test appearances for the Lions across the 2013 and 2017 tours, although he was also selected in 2009 before injury cut short his involvement.<\/p>\n

Halfpenny was named player of the series in 2013, helping the Lions to a 2-1 series victory in Australia.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI\u2019m just grateful for the opportunities I\u2019ve had to wear the jersey over the last 15 years.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been an absolute privilege to put on the Welsh shirt and I\u2019m really excited for Saturday.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got a few friends and family coming along, and I\u2019m looking forward to going out one last time.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo run out alongside guys like Alun and Justin Tipuric, albeit they\u2019ll be on the opposite side, and share the field with those two greats of the game and Welsh legends again will be pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halfpenny is third on the all-time list of men\u2019s points scorers for Wales, behind Neil Jenkins (1,049) and Stephen Jones (917).<\/p>\n

He says he grew up in the Swansea suburb of Gorseinon determined to emulate outside-half Jenkins, hero of the Lions\u2019 1997 series victory in South Africa.<\/p>\n

Halfpenny said: \u201cJenks was an idol for me, watching him play and kick for Wales. He made me want to be like him kicking for Wales.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just went down the field and put the practice in. That was my dream, to play and kick for Wales.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve got to be honest, I was pretty star-struck when I met up with him at St Helen\u2019s (the home ground of Swansea RFC) at the age of 16, and he\u2019s been incredible for me.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve learned so much from him; not just goal-kicking but the work you need to put in. He\u2019s supported me throughout and been huge in what I\u2019ve been able to achieve.\u201d<\/p>\n

Halfpenny also wants to follow Jenkins into coaching, adding: \u201cIt\u2019s something that I would like to do once I hang up the boots.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will be having a chat with him and picking up any tips I can. He\u2019s one of the best in the world and to learn from him has been pretty special.\u201d<\/p>\n

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