Halfpenny’s enthusiasm is admirable contemplating the stellar profession he has had.
After making his Wales debut in 2008, he has gone on to turn out to be an amazing of European rugby, enjoying 101 occasions for his nation and profitable Six Nations Grand Slams in 2012 and 2019.
He performed in three World Cups and likewise starred on the 2013 Lions tour of Australia, being named participant of the sequence in a 2-1 sequence win.
All through these achievements, Halfpenny’s team-mates and coaches have all the time remarked how humble he has remained.
“I really feel privileged to have had the alternatives I’ve had,” mentioned Halfpenny.
“There are the ups and downs of enjoying with damage and issues. As a child, you develop up watching rugby and dreaming of with the ability to try this at some point.
“I really feel lucky and privileged to have had the alternatives I’ve had.”
Halfpenny’s well-known professionalism additionally stays intact. His fellow Wales worldwide Wyn Jones has joined Harlequins on the identical time and the pair will likely be dwelling collectively for the primary month in south-west London whereas they get settled.
Jones has already jokingly warned Halfpenny they won’t be sharing lifts to coaching, with the full-back staying on an additional couple of hours after coaching to practise kicks at purpose.
It’s a trait Harlequins head coach Danny Wilson is aware of effectively.
“Leigh has been introduced in for 3 causes,” mentioned Wilson.
“Firstly, his profession goes earlier than him by way of what he is achieved as a rugby participant. He is nonetheless obtained an enormous quantity to supply on the sphere as a rugby participant and that is his precedence, he’ll be eager to get on the market and show himself.
“There are two different sides. What Leigh can add to our youthful growing gamers coming via, what he can add to us as a training group, what he can add to us as a mentor.
“He is among the finest, if not one of the best, defensive full-backs in world rugby, by way of positional understanding and protecting back-field areas.
“The third half is he is a mannequin skilled. Anybody who is aware of Leigh, and I have been fortunate sufficient to work with him earlier than, he is nonetheless among the finest professionals you may come throughout. That is an amazing instance for our younger gamers.”