a day ago
Leigh Halfpenny's future plan as Wales star one of 10 picked to be next coaches
Leigh Halfpenny's future plan as Wales star one of 10 picked to be next coaches
The former Wales full-back started his new temporary role this week
Leigh Halfpenny talks with Wales fly-half Dan Edwards
(Image: Chris Fairweather/Huw Evans Agency )
In the days before Leigh Halfpenny's long-awaited 100th cap for Wales, such was his obsessive nature, Neil Jenkins had to rein in the full-back when it came to his training load.
"What are you doing, Pence?" were effectively the words of choice from the former Wales fly-half to the man that he had mentored for well over a decade.
Even as he neared the century in a red jersey - having had to endure injuries and late withdrawals as he made it into the nervous nineties - the steadfast dedication to pushing himself to the limit remained.
That has always been one of the strengths of Halfpenny, the reason behind the remarkable career he has enjoyed. He is meticulous, with nothing left to chance. In many ways, the metronomic goal-kicking was symbolic of that attitude; reliably getting the most out of everything in his career.
And yet, now, some close to Halfpenny suggest that - in a relatively unexpected sojourn from playing this summer - he is uncharacteristically relaxed about what happens next.
A move to France seems likely once his summer in Japan - with a brief stint in Australia for the Classic Lions too - is done.
Article continues below
But, while a deal with Beziers could come at some point after his departure from Harlequins, he's welcoming this unanticipated piece of work experience.
This week has marked Halfpenny's first with the senior national team not as a player, but as a coach.
Word from the camp is he's settled in well, commanding respect from the players.
Some he will know better than others.
There are some new faces since Halfpenny called time on his Test career. For the second summer in a row, Cameron Winnett will spend time learning from one of the men he was suddenly tasked with replacing in last year's Six Nations.
Having got to learn from Liam Williams down under last year, he'll now be seeking words of wisdom from the other half of Wales' full-back duopoly for the past decade or so. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby.
Of course, the likes of Josh Adams and Taulupe Faletau will have provided some familiarity, as would the coaching ticket he's joined - having spent the season working with Danny Wilson and Adam Jones at Quins.
Even Dan Edwards, who is currently in his second Wales camp after making his debut in the Six Nations, has worked with Halfpenny while the full-back was working with the U20s.
Back in 2022, he worked with Wales' age-grade side while out injured - working as a kicking coach.
It was little surprise he did the role, given a move into coaching has always felt the obvious step for Halfpenny.
10 players hand-picked by WRU
Back in 2019, he was one of 10 players - alongside Justin Tipuric, James Hook, Bradley Davies, Paul James, Rob McCusker, Aaron Jarvis, Brok Harries, Angus O'Brien and Dan Fish - hand-picked to undertake a new coach development programme with the Welsh Rugby Union.
The year-long programme saw them work with WRU performance coach manager Dan Clements towards a UKCC Level 3 award in Coaching Rugby Union as they took the first steps towards coaching - with mentors brought in for the players. Six years on, it's starting to pay off.
Tipuric will begin next season coaching the Ospreys' defence, while Hook is also involved with both the senior side and the academy at the region. Former prop James has also been coaching the academy, as did Davies - although he will move onto the Scarlets next season.
Elsewhere, Jarvis is head of rugby at Ivybridge Community College, while Fish is coaching Cardiff RFC.
At the time, there were plans for Halfpenny to hold kicking clinics with a group of under-18s players. There's certainly a sense that, for all he's achieved, there's too much rugby intellectual property to not be passed on.
Just as Jenkins went from a diligent player who lived on his nerves - you need only hear the retching on those old Lions documentaries - Halfpenny has seemed destined for a similar path to his mentor.
The only downside to Halfpenny's opportunity this summer is where it leaves the man who watched all of his kicks closer than most over the years.
Jenkins is still contracted by the WRU, but communication is understood to have been scarce with all of the existing coaches when it came to the tour of Japan.
It's understandable interim head coach Matt Sherratt wants his own people if he's going to do the job.
Missing Japan is no major blow to the coaches whose contracts expire this summer. Mike Forshaw, for example, is seemingly set for a move to Leicester Tigers before the WRU get their new head coach in place. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free
But where not touring leaves Jenkins when a new coach does take over is anyone's guess. One thing is for certain is that Jenkins has nothing but pride in seeing Halfpenny's rise to coaching.
After the tour of Japan, Halfpenny will head down under with the Classic Lions before writing the next chapter in his storied playing career. There's still more to squeeze out of his playing days.
Jenkins, who has been working with the U20s recently, should still have a role to play with the WRU moving forward - although that probably rests on whoever the new head coach is.
By the autumn, Jenkins could be back with the national team, while Halfpenny could be plying his trade in France.
Article continues below
However, this summer will have paved the way for the natural progression. The student becoming the teacher.
One day, Halfpenny might just be the one reining in someone in the days before a big match.
