Halfpenny remains at Scarlets with a new deal
LEIGH Halfpenny has ended months of uncertainty over his future by finalising a new deal with the Scarlets, writes Mark Orders.
Details of the contract have yet to be formally announced, but it is understood Halfpenny has opted to recommit to the region he joined from Toulon in 2017.
The Scarlets will consider it a significant and highly-satisfactory piece of business.
With more than 2,000 points in senior rugby, the former Cardiff Blues star is considered one of the world’s greatest goal-kickers and his reading of play and intelligence on the pitch are admired throughout the game.
Yet there had been speculation about his future after the west Walians lured Liam Williams back from Saracens, with some questioning whether the region could accommodate two Lions Test fullbacks.
But such doubts were eased earlier this term by head coach Brad Mooar double-underlining how much the Scarlets valued Halfpenny, with the New Zealander calling the 93-cap player a “champion” and an “absolute professional”.
Williams’ versatility should also help the situation.
So the Scarlets will be confident they can keep both Halfpenny and Williams happy.
There were still issues to overcome over Halfpenny’s valuation by a Welsh rugby panel.
The 31-year-old needed a deal to fairly reflect his worth and there were initially concerns he might meet with the frustrations that have been the lot of others signing fresh contracts in Wales in recent times.
But all appears to have been settled on that front.
Halfpenny is likely to have had plenty of options as he mulled over his future, but he is happy with the Scarlets and popular with the players there and with all the fans.
It’s another issue resolved for Wales head coach Wayne Pivac, too, while Glenn Delaney, who takes over from Mooar this summer, can start planning in the knowledge that he’ll have at his disposal not just a world-class points-accumulator but also an ideal role model for younger players at the region.
He will have in his back-three pool not just Halfpenny and Williams but also Steff Evans, Johnny McNicholl, and Ryan Conbeer.
■ More rugby: Pages 44&45