Fu wary of O’Sullivan
HALFPENNY WARNS RIVALS NOT TO WRITE OFF WALES
LEIGH HALFPENNY has told Wales’ Six Nations rivals it would be a big mistake to write off their title chances.
Warren Gatland names his tournament squad today with the Principality on a high after a stunning European weekend for their top sides.
Scarlets hammered Bath 35-17 away from home with one of the great club performances.
Ospreys held Champions Cup holders Saracens to a 15-15 draw and Cardiff Blues completed back-to-back wins over four- time Euro kings Toulouse. “We’re definitely aiming to win the competition,” said Halfpenny (above), Wales’ 74-times capped full-back.
“The way we played in the autumn was positive and if we can carry that on we’ll have belief in our ability to win the Six Nations.”
Since Wales were last crowned champions in 2013, the title has been shared between Ireland and England, with two apiece.
Wales could manage only fifth place last season, but the last time that happened in 2007, they bounced back to land the Grand Slam.
Halfpenny, a 10-year veteran of three titles and two slams, senses a similar desire in the squad this time, but the bookies give them little chance.
That is hardly surprising given they go to Twickenham and Dublin and are without Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau, Jonathan Davies and Dan Lydiate for the whole championship.
But Halfpenny said: “There’s a massive hunger in the squad to win the trophy again and more than that, to play some great rugby.
“You can see from the way the players have stepped up for the clubs that they’re up for it.
“There is huge confidence and belief and the autumn series showed we’re moving in the right direction.” Losing to Australia and New Zealand before edging past a poor South Africa team provided less than compelling evidence. Yet the we e ke n d performance by the clubs will g give Gatland ( left) and his squ squad a lift ahead of their o opener with Scotland o on February 3. Was p s ha v e c completed the signing o of All Blacks’ back-up flyle fly-half Lima Sopoaga, 26, on a two-year deal. He joins in the summer. MARCO FU is desperate to avoid becoming more Masters cannon fodder for Ronnie O’Sullivan today.
The Rocket is going for a hat-trick of titles at Alexandra Palace – and a record eighth crown in all.
The five-time world champion’s demolition of Shaun Murphy in last month’s UK Championship Final left a big impression on world No.9 Fu.
The 40-year-old, from Hong Kong, said: “What Ronnie did to Shaun at the UK – sometimes he just does that to an opponent, we all know the level he is capable of.
“It was like an exhibition at times in the final. I will go into the match as the big underdog. But I am here, playing the best player in the world. And who wouldn’t want to do that?”