The best: Leigh Halfpenny
Rob Howley has heaped praise on Leigh Halfpenny after the Wales full-back was named 2013 Six Nations Player of the Championship.
The Cardiff Blues star received more than 40% of the public vote to become the second Welsh player in consecutive years to win the accolade.
Halfpenny finished the Championship as top points scorer and collected two man of the match awards during the campaign and he fully deserved the award according to Wales' interim head coach.
"Leigh is fearless, courageous and is one of the best full backs in World rugby and he can be very proud of his performances throughout the Championship," said Howley.
"He constantly strives for perfection in his preparation and performance and sets high standards. He is a model professional in every facet of the game and I am delighted for him. His contribution to the side has been huge and he fully deserves to be named 6BS 6 Nations Player of the championship.
"He was awarded man of the match out in France and in Italy in two crucial games and has been consistent throughout the championship. It's great to see another Welsh name on the trophy, following up from Dan (Lydiate) last year and it is great to see the players getting the reward they deserve for the effort and performances they produce."
Halfpenny was presented with the trophy in Cardiff this afternoon which concluded a special week for the 24-year-old.
"It's been an unbelievable week," said Halfpenny.
"It can't get any better for me. To top off such an amazing day as Saturday by winning this is huge.
"The atmosphere in the stadium was unbelievable. Singing the anthem is something that I will never forget and the fans were outstanding as they have been home and away during the tournament.
"As players the squad have shown immense character and gained confidence throughout the tournament and against England everything came together and clicked. It was a great performance and the best game I have been involved in. We have amazing fans in Wales and they showed that on the weekend and it's pretty overwhelming that they have backed be and I can't thank them enough."
Comments
jose_jones says...
Anyone who says this guy didn't deserve this either hasn't watched a game or is just being bloody minded,.
Posted 11:48 26th March 2013
FISH says...
hey cymro your opinion means squat too.....or did you actually think it did? haha, i've never pretended my opinions are right or even matter, i just state them.
Posted 12:36 23rd March 2013
theGadflY says...
I think Parisse or Zanni should have won this.Halfpenny is good but the former two were immense in this year's tournament.
Posted 06:19 23rd March 2013
cymro says...
@ Fish
Your opinion means diddley squat anyway, so don't beat yourself up too much.
Posted 01:32 23rd March 2013
theGadflY says...
I think Parisse or Zanni would have been better choices than Halfpenny.
Posted 01:04 23rd March 2013
Mayhem says...
@fish,
Ill give you dagg (my favourite fullback on planet at moment) but Beale? When was his last good game? Halfpenny is a good attacker, breaks tackles, kicks accurately from nearly 60m out and weighs in with tries. Not bad I'd say.
Posted 23:58 22nd March 2013
Funkychicken says...
@atg77
He scored 1 try against Ireland in this years championship. His 11th International try overall.
Posted 23:23 22nd March 2013
Alwill says...
atg77........to suggest 1/2P won the award on goalkicking is ludicrous. His defence was superb, and while he didn't set the world alight with his attacking that was as much to do with pattern of play as anything else. He consistently beat the first tackler, usually under tremendous pressure. Hogg is exciting, but 1/2P overall contribution including his kicking made him the stand out
Posted 22:46 22nd March 2013
carpelone says...
Well done, Leigh. Deserved.
Halfpenny is very good in defense, much better than Dagg or Beale. He is always well positioned.
Posted 21:56 22nd March 2013
westywales says...
Thoroughly deserved I say. So the general playing standard this year wasn't quite as high as it sometimes is, can't blame the guy for being the most standout player which he most probably was. We all know the SH ball skills are generally a bit better but there are plenty of reasons for that and it doesn't necessarily make NH players that much worse as there are many more facets to an all-round game, especially when being played in hugely varying environments/climates.
Anyway, if only we could take Byrney's incisive angles and kick-chase and splice it with 1/2P's boot, high-ball prowess and dependable, heroic defence I think we would have the complete fullback. Probably the only truly nailed-on Lions test starter at present.
Posted 21:19 22nd March 2013
atg77 says...
Unbeleivable that a player can win an award like this for goalkicking. How many tries did he score again? Stuart Hogg is a far more dangerous attacking player.
Posted 21:16 22nd March 2013
FISH says...
@ mayhem...walk into any team? with israel dagg playing for n.z and considering australia have kurtley beale (when he's fit), both of which are faar better on attack and better play makers given thier position i doubt he can walk into any team, only in the n.h .....admitedly he could walk into the bok set up seeing as heneke meyer insists on picking zane kirchner, who is as good as halfpenny, they both play the exact same game...run a straight line or just kick it up field or go for a hoist, halfpenny only very slightly edges out kirchner cause he can kick at posts, but i still rate jaco taute higher than halfpenny so yeah, maybe in the n.h hhalfpenny is the best no.15 around but in the s.h he'd be on the bench, he'd be lucky to be on the bench actually
Posted 20:43 22nd March 2013
Mayhem says...
@fish,
Ok, I'll bite, is the SH that blessed that a talent like halfpenny could be considered poor by their/your standards? At the moment he'd walk into any side in the world. Would you take a moment to justify your point and explain what makes him poor so the world and his wife doesn't just label you a troll?
Posted 19:27 22nd March 2013
Lucasrg says...
Absolutely phenomenal player and persona. Well earned
Posted 19:23 22nd March 2013
Tooroysh says...
Fish , i actually agree to certain extent. My opinion is that he's a goal kicking Goode. Havent seen him setting the world alight with his attacking play at all really , positionally he is excellent , solid defence.
Posted 19:19 22nd March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Very important point this: "Leigh is fearless, courageous..." actually you can't be both.
Posted 19:17 22nd March 2013
benski says...
As an Englishman I just wish he wasn't quite so good!! Truth is Leigh is stand out, by far one of the finest fullbacks of the modern game and surely must be a shoe in for the No 15 shirt for the Lions Tour.
Posted 17:17 22nd March 2013
NHsaints says...
Well earned and deserved fully mr Halfpenny.
Posted 17:13 22nd March 2013
FISH says...
only in the N.H would a player as poor as halfpenny be held in high regard, he is sub par at his very best, just MY OPINION of course, i hope no one gets thier panties in a bunch over an anonymous post, like so many fools do, some people need to grow up
Posted 16:59 22nd March 2013