Halfpenny still hungry with new Harlequins chapter

More than 16 years into his master profession you could beryllium forgiven for reasoning Leigh Halfpenny mightiness beryllium slowing down.

Not a spot of it. The erstwhile Wales full-back is alternatively preparing for a caller situation astatine nan property of 35 pinch Harlequins.

It will beryllium a 5th nine successful a 4th convention for Halfpenny who will play successful nan Premiership for nan first clip aft experiencing nan United Rugby Championship (URC), France's Top 14 and Super Rugby.

It is that second tourney wherever Halfpenny spent a twelvemonth pinch nan New Zealand broadside Crusaders earlier returning and past linking up astatine nan Stoop.

Halfpenny has besides been brought successful by Harlequins for his acquisition but his first extremity is clear.

"I want to transportation connected playing," said Halfpenny.

"I person still sewage that competitiveness and hunger successful maine to transportation connected playing.

"Primarily I want to play and push for nan position. That comes done earning nan correct and moving difficult because there's awesome title successful nan backmost three.

"Alongside that it's astir helping nan younger lads wherever I tin and I'm happy to do that.

"But I americium a subordinate first and I can't hold for that opportunity to get connected nan field."

Halfpenny was without a nine having completed nan Super Rugby Pacific play pinch Crusaders successful New Zealand wherever his appearances were constricted because of injury.

"Last play was frustrating, I was truthful excited by that opportunity," said Halfpenny.

"I enjoyed nan acquisition of going to New Zealand but because of nan wounded I didn't get nan crippled clip I would person liked.

"The assemblage feels bully now, I conscionable can't hold to get retired there."

After getting joined successful nan summertime to his woman Jess, Halfpenny has a caller life connected and disconnected nan field.

"I sewage backmost from New Zealand and this Harlequins opportunity came up truthful I jumped astatine nan chance," said Halfpenny.

"Harlequins is simply a awesome nine pinch a rich | history and I can't hold for nan season.

"I person watched nan Premiership complete nan years and it's a awesome convention pinch awesome games.

"Every crippled is reliable and you person sewage to beryllium astatine nan apical of your crippled each match.

"There are packed crowds. Watching it connected TV, each crippled looks for illustration a awesome atmosphere.

"As a subordinate that's what you want, to beryllium portion of large unit games and testing yourself.

"So I'm excited astir challenging myself successful this convention but understand I've sewage to gain nan correct to deterioration nan jersey."

Halfpenny's enthusiasm is admirable considering nan stellar profession he has had.

After making his Wales debut successful 2008, he has gone connected to go a awesome of European rugby, playing 101 times for his state and winning Six Nations Grand Slams successful 2012 and 2019.

He played successful 3 World Cups and besides starred connected nan 2013 Lions circuit of Australia, being named subordinate of nan bid successful a 2-1 bid win.

Throughout these achievements, Halfpenny's team-mates and coaches person ever remarked really humble he has remained.

"I consciousness privileged to person had nan opportunities I person had," said Halfpenny.

"There are nan ups and downs of playing pinch wounded and things. As a kid, you turn up watching rugby and dreaming of being capable to do that 1 day.

"I consciousness fortunate and privileged to person had nan opportunities I person had."

Halfpenny's celebrated professionalism besides remains successful tact. His chap Welsh world Wyn Jones has joined Harlequins astatine nan aforesaid clip and nan brace will beryllium surviving together for nan first period successful south-west London while they get settled.

Jones has already jokingly warned Halfpenny they will not beryllium sharing lifts to training pinch nan full-back staying connected an other mates of hours aft training practicing kicks astatine goal.

It is simply a trait Harlequins caput coach Danny Wilson knows well.

"Leigh has been brought successful for 3 reasons," said Wilson.

"Firstly, his profession goes earlier him successful position of what he's done arsenic a rugby player. He's still sewage a immense magnitude to connection connected nan section arsenic a rugby subordinate and that's his priority, he'll beryllium keen to get retired location and beryllium himself.

"There are 2 different sides. What Leigh tin adhd to our younger processing players coming through, what he tin adhd to america arsenic a coaching group, what he tin adhd to america arsenic a mentor.

"He's 1 of nan best, if not nan best, protect full-backs successful world rugby, successful position of positional knowing and covering back-field spaces.

"The 3rd portion is he's a exemplary professional. Anyone who knows Leigh, and I've been fortunate capable to activity pinch him before, he's still 1 of nan champion professionals you'll travel across. That's a awesome illustration for our young players."