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What now for Leigh Halfpenny?

Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny (Getty Images)

Last season, Leigh Halfpenny was the third highest-earner in France’s Top 14, behind Dan Carter and Matt Giteau. Today, with pre-season in full swing, and a matter of weeks before the new northern hemisphere seasons kick off, he is out of work, after another Welsh region ruled itself out of the running for his signature.

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The dead-eye fullback’s last meaningful act for former club Toulon was to kick them level in the 70th minute of a tense Top 14 semi-final against La Rochelle at the end of May. A day later, he joined the Lions for the tour of New Zealand, leaving behind an unsigned one-year contract extension, reportedly worth €750,000.

That offer was withdrawn midway through the first week of the tour. Toulon owner Mourad Boudjellal blamed the Welshman’s regular international absences for his decision.

This week, Scarlets became the latest Welsh club to turn down Halfpenny’s services. The club said their recruitment plans were complete, and they could not afford the player, even on a National Dual Contract (NDC) that would see the WRU pick up 60% of the wage bill.

Ospreys also reportedly have no interest in British Lion – and with Dan Evans, Sam Davies and James Hook already on the books, they really have no need for another fullback.

Meanwhile, a proposed deal for him to join the WRU-owned Dragons fell through in March; and the chances of Halfpenny joining former club Cardiff Blues for a second spell seems remote as their wage bill has already soared past £5million for next season.

So where does that leave the player? English Premiership sides Bath and Wasps are reportedly interested in his signature. But such a move comes with its own issues – whether ‘Gatland’s Law’ on senior players takes effect or not, which depends on whether a formal offer from a Welsh club is on the table – notably the Premiership’s strict rules on releasing non-English players for internationals.

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He could choose to remain in France, though with many clubs unwilling to fork out as much as Toulon for his services, he would have to agree to a sizeable drop in salary.

But there is an additional issue that could be a dealbreaker for many clubs. Halfpenny is now on an eight-week rest period owed to all Lions tourists. That means he is unlikely to be ready to return to action until mid-October – just as newly returned Wales coach Warren Gatland starts calling up players for the November internationals.

Any club that does come in for the player is likely to have to wait until December at the earliest for the first signs of any return on their investment.

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 3 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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