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Wales legend Leigh Halfpenny signs for Harlequins
By Josh Raisey
Harlequins have announced the signing of Wales great Leigh Halfpenny as injury cover.
The 35-year-old fullback has arrived at the Stoop on a one-year deal.
The 101-cap Wales international most recently played for the Crusaders in the latest Super Rugby Pacific season, although it was a campaign blighted by injury which began with a damaged pectoral muscle in preseason.
The 2013 British & Irish Lions player of the series had joined the New Zealand franchise after the World Cup, where he had brought his 16-year international career to a close.
Quins will not only benefit from Halfpenny's vast amount of experience in the back three, but his world-class goal-kicking could prove vital in the upcoming season.
“I’m excited to join Quins and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue my career with such an iconic club," Halfpenny said.
"I have always admired the Premiership and I’m keen to grab this opportunity with both hands and contribute to the Quins DNA. I’m looking forward to getting stuck in and running out in front of a packed Stoop.”
Quins head coach Danny Wilson added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Leigh to Quins. His experience speaks for itself, and he will bring plenty of leadership, expertise and high standards to our squad, helping mentor our talented stable of back three players alongside bringing the benefit of his enormous experience to the wider squad.
"He’s an incredible athlete, highly skilful and adaptive across multiple positions. We’re confident he’ll make a strong impact at Quins this season.”
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Latest Comments
In regards to Mack Hansen, Tuipoloto and others who talent wasnt 'seen'..
If we look at acting, soccer and cricket as examples, Hugh Jackman, the Heminsworths in acting; Keith Urban in Nashville, Mike Hussey and various cricketers who played in UK and made the Australian team; and many soccer players playing overseas.
My opinion is that perhaps the ' 'potential' or latent talent is there, but it's just below the surface.
ANd that decision, as made by Tane Edmed, Noah, Will Skelton to go overseas is the catalyst to activate the latent and bring it to the surface.
Based on my personal experience of leaving Oz and spending 14 months o/s, I was fully away from home and all usual support systems and past memories that reminded me of the past.
Ooverseas, they weren't there. I had t o survive, I could invent myself as who I wanted, and there was no one to blame but me.
It bought me alive, focused my efforts towards what I wanted and people largely accepted me for who I was and how I turned up.
So my suggestion is to make overseas scholarships for younger players and older too so they can benefit from the value offered by overseas coaching acumen, established systems, higher intensity competition which like the pressure that turns coal into diamonds, can produce more Skeltons, Arnold's, Kellaways and the like.
After the Lion's tour say, create 20 x $10,000 scholarships for players to travel and play overseas.
Set up a HECS style arrangement if necessary to recycle these funds ongoingly.
Ooverseas travel, like parenthood or difficult life situations brings out people's physical and emotional strengths in my own experiences, let's use it in rugby.
Go to commentsI agree what a load of crap! The ABs are elite sportsmen and ALL sportsmen want to challenge themselves against the best. And where better than Eden Park - some say that is our fortress. Well the ABs will relish the chance to build on that notion I am sure.
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