WHY HALFPENNY WILL WOW AT SCARLETS
PHIL BENNETT’S VERDICT
You never like to count your chickens when it comes to Leigh Halfpenny’s future, such has been the protracted nature of his transfer saga, but it does look as though it’s finally a done deal and he’s on his way to the Scarlets. Rugby correspondent SIMON THOMAS explains why it’s a move that makes sense...
AVAILABLE OPTIONS The Wales and Lions full-back has been linked with a host of clubs over the past 18 months, but one by one they have slipped out of the reckoning, leaving his options lying on the home front.
It had looked as though he was going to stay with Toulon for a fourth year, only for the French club’s controversial owner Mourad Boudjellal to pull the deal.
English avenues then appeared to open up but both Bath and Wasps ruled themselves out of the running, while a Leicester link appears to have come to nought.
That left a return to Wales on a WRU national dual contract as the one realistic option.
Last week, it was reported in France that the 28-year-old was set to return to Cardiff Blues, but that proved to be something of a red herring.
The final twist to the tale emerged over the weekend as whispers began that he was on his way to the Scarlets - whispers that steadily grew in volume.
He has been linked with them a number of times in the past, but now it does some the lad from Gorseinon is heading west on a three year deal.
LIFE AFTER LIAM From the Scarlets’ point of view, bringing Halfpenny on board makes absolute sense from a squad perspective.
Having lost Liam Williams to Saracens, what a timely pre-season boost it would be to bring in another top class international full-back.
They are different types of player, as has been well documented, with Williams offering more of a counterattacking threat.
But Halfpenny remains one of the most reliable figures in the game, in terms of his defensive solidity and covering work, while he is a proven match-winner with the boot.
It will be interesting to see whether he is given more of an attacking licence under Stephen Jones because we all remember what a potent weapon he was in his younger days with his pace and finishing ability.
The way the Scarlets look to play, focusing on ball in hand and countering off turnovers, could see the enterprising side of Halfpenny’s game rekindled.
With the versatile Kiwi Johnny McNicholl also on board, it would give the west Walians two quality options at full-back.
Signing Halfpenny would have made less sense for the Blues, as they have already have depth in that position, with Matthew Morgan, Rhun Williams and Dan Fish on the books.
If they were looking to reinforce their squad, other areas would be more pressing.
A CHAMPION IDEA Halfpenny could hardly be joining a team in ruder health. The Scarlets are, of course, the PRO12 champions, having claimed the title in such thrilling fashion with back-to-back play-off victories on the road in Ireland.
They have also retained the bulk of their triumphant team, with only the Newcastle-bound DTH van der Merwe joining Williams in moving on.
The pack is in place and secured, while Halfpenny would join a back-line featuring the likes of Gareth Davies, Rhys Patchell, Scott Williams, Jonathan
Davies, Hadleigh Parkes, Steff Evans and McNicholl.
That’s a contingent to rank with any in Europe. They also employ a free-flowing style of rugby that must be a pleasure to be part of, with huge credit due to coaches Wayne Pivac and Stephen Jones for the freedom of expression they have encouraged.
These are exciting days down Llanelli way.
Clearly, there would have been an emotional pull towards the Blues for Halfpenny, as that was the region which gave him a second chance after he was released by the Ospreys.
He spent seven years with them and made his name there.
And it did look as though he would be heading back to the Arms Park at one point, with a deal coming tantalisingly close to being done in February, only for it to fall through over the length of the WRU dual contract.
There seemed a chance of a deal being rekindled last week with a return to Wales back on the agenda, but you could see why Halfpenny would opt for the Scarlets.
They are the league champions whereas the Blues finished seventh in the table, while this summer has seen plenty of conjecture about financial issues at the Arms Park.
So, once again, a move west made sense.
IT ALL ADDS UP Just a couple of weeks ago, Scarlets chairman Nigel Short told a supporters meeting the region wouldn’t be able to afford to sign Halfpenny. So what’s changed? Well, there are a couple of things that might have come into play.
For one, there is the money coming in from South Africa as a result of the creation of the newly expanded PRO14, with the Cheetahs and Southern Kings coming on board.
The word is that will see each of the existing PRO12 teams benefiting to the tune of £500,000, which clearly helps when it comes to squad costs.
There’s also the possibility that Halfpenny’s price tag might have come down a little as his options have reduced.
When the Blues were on the point of signing him in February, the dual contract offer on the table was for an annual salary of £420,000.
It would be fascinating to find out what the figure is now.
Whatever the deal is, the Scarlets would need to pay 40 per cent of his wage, with the WRU picking up 60 per cent.
It does seem a position has now been reached where it adds up for all parties involved.
Certainly, the Union and the Scarlets would be looking to make significant commercial gain through having a player of Halfpenny’s stature on the books, while his value on the pitch is well documented.
It’s tough to see how the Blues would be able to come up with 40 per cent of the deal at present, given they have spent the summer looking at possible savings, amid financial limitations.