Halfpenny forced out of clash with ‘Boks
LEIGH Halfpenny has been ruled out of Wales’ Under Armour Series finale against South Africa in Cardiff on Saturday.
The goalkicking full-back suffered concussion following a challenge by Australia centre Samu Kerevi when Wales beat the Wallabies 10 days ago.
Kerevi escaped sanction following the incident, but Wales have now lost 80 times-capped Halfpenny for the Springboks fixture.
“Leigh is out,” said Wales assistant coach Rob Howley.
“He did some training on Saturday morning, and he was still feeling a little bit light-headed.
“It is just a commonsense approach, really. A player’s welfare comes first. He unfortunately misses out this weekend.”
Wales have options in the number 15 shirt, with Liam Williams, who started on the wing and scored two tries against Tonga last weekend, one candidate.
And fly-half Gareth Anscombe could be another contender as Wales look to complete a first clean sweep of autumn Test victories.
Wales head coach Warren Gatland is due to announce his startling line-up tomorrow.
In Halfpenny’s absence, Dragons ace Hallam Amos has been added to the squad.
Howley, meanwhile, confirmed that wing George North is back in training after suffering a dead leg during the Wallabies clash.
“I’m glad to say George North is back in full training,” Howley added. “He trained this morning and is available for selection.”
WALES face a dilemma over who to pick at full-back against South Africa following Leigh Halfpenny’s failure to recover from concussion.
The knock-on effect could also have an impact on who plays at outsidehalf with Gareth Anscombe a candidate to drop back to No.15.
That would open the door for Dan Biggar, who was official man of the match in the 74-24 walloping of Tonga last weekend and is a top-quality goal-kicker, to remain at pivot or it could create an opportunity for Rhys Patchell to start.
However, if Anscombe reclaims the No.10 jersey he donned in the wins over Scotland and Australia – Wales’ first against them for 10 years after 13 straight defeats – Liam Williams or Hallam Amos is likely to be at fullback.
Williams starred for the Lions in that position during their drawn Test series with World Cup holders New Zealand last year, but Wales head coach Warren Gatland prefers him as a winger.
However, switching him to fullback could open the way for George North, who has recovered from a ‘dead leg,’ and Josh Adams, who was Gatland’s man of the match against Australia, to be Wales’ wide boys at the Principality Stadium on Saturday.
Amos shone for Wales at 15 during summer triumphs over South Africa and Argentina, but was ruled out of the start of the autumn campaign by a dislocated elbow.
But he has been formally added to Gatland’s squad and has a game under his belt with the Dragons in the Guinness PRO14.
Wales attack coach Rob Howley said Halfpenny’s injury gave somebody else an opportunity to stake a claim for the Six Nations and next year’s World Cup in Japan.
“We feel as if we have a lot strength in depth in the back-three from the Six Nations and summer tour,” he said.
“Selections a couple of years ago maybe did not take too long, but now it is a really healthy debate.
“It gives us an opportunity, maybe Liam can step up there, Gareth has played full-back and so has Hallam.
“There is a lot of opportunity for those players, so it’s just trying to get the right mix for selection against what is probably going to be our toughest opposition to date this autumn.”
Asked if it would be difficult to leave out Biggar, who moved past 500 points and into fourth on Wales’ all-time scoring list with a 14-point contribution against Tonga, with Wales keen to develop other playmakers at No.10, Howley replied: “Not really.
“Everyone has debated 10 for how many years in Welsh rugby and that will never change.
“With our 10s it is about the skillset. We have beaten Australia. We have done something right in that game and we have quality in the 10 position.
“They are all different and have individual qualities, but it is the collective cohesion we want to have as well.
“Gareth played particularly well against Australia, but equally Dan and Rhys did against Tonga.
“Dan led from the front against Tonga and we were very clinical and in game management, which facilitated the team, Dan was exceptional, while Rhys Patchell scored a fantastic individual try.”
Halfpenny is still suffering the effects of the concussion he suffered following an unpunished late tackle from Australia’s Samu Kerevi on November 10.
The incident left the Wales coaching team furious, with Gatland seeking clarification from top referee Nigel Owens as to why he thought match official Ben O’Keeffe decided against any punishment.
Wales are chasing their ninth victory in a row – the last time they achieved the feat was in 1999 when Howley was captain – as they seek to edge closer to the country’s record 11.
They have already made history by beating two southern hemisphere giants – South Africa in Washington and Australia – for the first time in the same year.
If they beat the Springboks it will be the first time they have had a clean sweep since the annual autumn Test series was extended to four fixtures.
Howley is expecting a massive battle against a South African team which is a different beast under new coach Rassie Erasmus, the former Munster boss, and has won in New Zealand, and beaten Australia, Argentina, France and Scotland since losing to Wales five months ago.
“It will be a highly-motivated South Africa and it has been a one-score game (in recent Wales wins),” said Howley.
“Rassie has taken over and, as a former back-rower, the contact area will be a crucial starting point for both teams.
“When we have played South Africa
there seems to be a lot of aerial kicking and that will be no different having watched their last three games.
“We have always enjoyed playing South Africa. When you win you enjoy the game, but they have been tough games.
“We have a lot of confidence and self-belief in the way that we are playing and the way the players took their opportunity at the weekend against Tonga was pleasing.
“We are going for a ninth win in a row, which is pretty special for this group of players to be a part of.
“We are fully focused on the process that we have been involved in, not taking the Lions players to Argentina and growing the strength in depth.
“It has been a fantastic process to be a part of, to see individuals grow, whether that was in Argentina or over the last three weeks.
“Personally I have never experienced a squad with the strength in depth that we have got with everyone that is given that opportunity taking that opportunity.
“It is important that process continues on Saturday, whichever players are selected. Hopefully, if we get the process right it will be a pleasing four weeks.
“International rugby is about winning and it’s not always about style, it’s substance also. There has been really good substance in our games over the last few weeks.
“It was important to beat Australia in the light of what’s going to come in the World Cup.”