2
Menu
Home
50% OFF Special Issues
My Library
My Account
Pocketmags Puzzles
Pocketmags Plus+
Title A-Z
Category A-Z
Latest Offers
Gift Vouchers
Activate a Subscription
Help & Support
GB
0
Basket
My Account
My Library
Login
Plus+
BEST SELLERS
OFFERS
Hobbies & Craft
Aviation & Transport
Leisure
General Interest
Sport
SITE SETTINGS
GBP - £
USD - $
AUD - $
CAD - $
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
All Categories
Art & Photography
Art
Design
Architecture
Photography
Aviation & Transport
Motorbikes
Aviation
Automotive
Rail
Family & Home
Kids
Parenting
Animals & Pets
Food
DIY
Landscaping & Gardening
Property
Interior Design & Home
Food and Drink
Cooking & Baking
Drink
Vegetarian & Vegan
Gluten Free & Special Diets
General Interest
History & Fact
Astronomy
Education & Literary
Spiritual & Religion
Trade & Professional
National & Regional
Books
News & Current Affairs
Health & Fitness
Medical
Running
Women's Health
Men's Health
Slimming
Spirituality & Wellbeing
Hobbies & Craft
Collecting
Radio Control Modelling
Scale & Millitary Modelling
Sewing & Knitting
Woodworking
Arts & Crafts
Leisure Interest
Travel
Boating & Yachting
Poker & Gambling
Caravan & Motorhome
Camping & Outdoor
TV & Film
Tattoo
Horse Riding & Equestrian
Wildlife
Men's Interest
Lifestyle
Gay
TV & Film
Men's Fitness
Motorbikes
Automotive
Football
Fishing & Angling
Gaming
Gadgets
Newspapers
All
Music
Classical
Heavy Metal
Other
Rock
Pop
Practical & Playing
Hi-Fi
Sport
Football
Cycling
Rugby
Cricket & Golf
Football Programmes
Fishing & Angling
Shooting & Archery
Boxing & Martial Arts
Horse Riding & Equestrian
Other
Watersports & Board
Athletics & Running
Motorsport
Ski & Winter Sports
Outdoor & Adventure
Tech & Gaming
Apple
Gaming
Internet
Gadgets
PC
Mobile
Trade & Professional
Money & Investment
Building & Architecture
Military & Defense
Education
Media
Retail News
Farming & Agriculture
Catering
Business
Transport
Politics
Travel
Women's Interest
Hair
Celebrity
Weddings & Brides
Fashion & Lifestyle
Healthy Food & Slimming
Fitness
SITE SETTINGS
GBP - £
USD - $
AUD - $
CAD - $
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
EUR - €
LIGHT MODE
DARK MODE
Digital Subscriptions
>  
Blog
>
The reluctant hero
You are currently viewing the United Kingdom version of the site.
Would you like to switch to your local site?
Home
50% OFF Special Issues
My Library
My Account
Pocketmags Puzzles
Pocketmags Plus+
Title A-Z
Category A-Z
Latest Offers
Gift Vouchers
Activate a Subscription
Help & Support
Gift Cards
£5
£10
£25
£50
View All
Read on any device
Safe & Secure Ordering
< 
Back to Blogs
The reluctant hero
Posted 05 February 2015
Leigh Halfpenny is the quiet man of Welsh rugby, back home for the Six Nations and ready to show the fans just what life in Toulon has taught him.
I wouldn't say I'll ever be entirely comfortable with the attention." Leigh Halfpenny is one of rugby union's highest-paid players. He is the jewel in the crown of Welsh rugby; the man of the series in the Lions' victorious 2013 tour of Australia; and the potential star attraction of the upcoming Six Nations. He is a global superstar of the game. And yet he's so... nice.
The soft-spoken 26-year-old turns up to meet Sport bang on time. He introduces himself, asks about our journey down, poses patiently for our exclusive shoot and even manages a polite response when we offer him no more than a coffee and Mars Bar by way of sustenance.
The boy from the small town of Gorseinon may not relish the attention his talents inspire, but he is a bit special on and off the pitch. To understand what makes him tick, we start where every good story does - at the beginning.
"I remember it like it was yesterday," Halfpenny explains when we ask about the day he first picked up a rugby ball. "I was over at one of my best friends' houses after school, and he was getting ready for training. I hadn't ever done rugby at that time - I'd been playing football. He asked if I fancied it, so I said 'Why not?' I went down and just absolutely fell in love with the game. I was really lucky to have a fantastic coach in a guy called Rob Steele, and we never lost many games, so success was bred into me then. Certainly without that club, the coaches there and the mates I'm still close with now, I wouldn't be where I am right now."
Halfpenny is sitting in the depths of the Millennium Stadium, where Wales and England kick off the 2015 Six Nations on Friday evening. Ever since his international debut against South Africa in November 2008, he has been an integral part of a successful Wales set-up, and the man tasked with keeping the scoreboard ticking over courtesy of his jackhammer of a right boot. Yet another talent, as it turns out, with roots firmly embedded in west Wales. "The car park in Gorseinon was right behind the rugby posts, so every time I'd kick from the 22m line the ball would fly into it and hit the ears," he recalls with a laugh. "To stop hitting them, I had to move further and further back, so I just got used to kicking it further. There were times when I'd be kicking on another field and hit moving cars on the road nearby, My grandad would have to go and apologise.
"I have so many great memories of those days. My family have all been so supportive, but Grandad was the one who took me kicking. When I started, I missed all the time. I was hopeless, and there would be times after school when I'd be tired and wouldn't feel like it. But one thing I never forget Grandad saying is: `If you want to get where you wanna be, you've got to work hard - and if you're not doing the work, there's always someone else who is.' That's always stuck with me."
To read the full article, download issue 389 for free today..
Most read articles this month
Basket -
0 items
Your basket is currently empty.
Continue Shopping
Basket Total:
£
0.00
 Earning
0
Loyalty Points
Each Point is worth 1 penny or unit of currency and can be redeemed against future purchases here at Pocketmags.com
Got a discount code? Add it in the next step.
Checkout Securely
Continue Shopping
Or, read for just
99p
with
You can enjoy:
The issue in your basket
Instant access to 600+ titles
Thousands of back issues
30 days for just 99p
TRY PLUS+ FOR 99p
30 days access, then just £9.99 / month. Cancel anytime. New subscribers only.
Learn more
Chat
X
Pocketmags Support
Contact Us
Use the form below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Send a copy of chat messages
Send Message
Message Sent
Many thanks for your enquiry.
One of our support staff will get back to you soon.
Start New Chat
Close Chat
Error In sending Email
We could not send your ticket at this time, please try again later
Start New Chat
Close Chat