Former Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has signed a one-year cope with New Zealand Tremendous Rugby facet Crusaders.
The 34-year-old acknowledged his need to hold on taking part in membership rugby.
“I am extraordinarily grateful to have the chance to affix probably the greatest golf equipment on this planet and I can not wait to satisfy everybody,” stated Halfpenny.
“I’ve all the time watched Tremendous Rugby and the Crusaders are the group I’ve all the time adopted.
“I’ve all the time cherished the time I’ve spent in New Zealand on tour. It is a passionate rugby nation and I’ve all the time been made to really feel very a lot at residence there.
“My household and I are very excited concerning the transfer.”
Halfpenny made his worldwide debut in 2008 and scored 801 factors for Wales in 101 video games, whereas he additionally performed 4 Checks for the British and Irish Lions.
He was named Lions participant of the collection in 2013, serving to the vacationers to a 2-1 collection victory in Australia.
Halfpenny bettered Neil Jenkins’ Lions file for probably the most factors in a Take a look at collection with 49 and likewise broke the file for probably the most factors in a single Take a look at as he scored 21 within the third match.
His metronomic kicking locations Halfpenny third on the all-time listing of males’s factors scorers for Wales, behind Jenkins (1,049) and Stephen Jones (917).
Wales stars heading south
After leaving Scarlets, Halfpenny turns into the newest Wales determine to journey to New Zealand.
Fly-half Rhys Patchell will hyperlink up with the Highlanders subsequent yr and Stephen Jones is about to grow to be the Moana Pasifika assault coach, whereas Mark Jones had a brief stint within the Crusaders teaching workers of Scott Robertson, who has simply grow to be the New Zealand boss.
Crusaders have received seven successive Tremendous Rugby titles with Rob Penney taking on from Robertson as their new coach.
There isn’t any point out but of Halfpenny additionally adopting an official teaching function with the Crusaders however he’ll assist mentor a few of the youthful gamers within the squad.
Halfpenny will slot right into a again three alongside the likes of All Blacks wings Will Jordan and Sevu Reece.
“Leigh’s a footballer with an enormous quantity of expertise, charisma and talent,” stated Penney.
“We had our feelers out for some time, and Leigh was ending up his time with Wales and nonetheless had a giant need to play on the highest degree, so it is an incredible match for us.
“Leigh provides much more maturity to our backline, whereas additionally bringing in some northern hemisphere perspective, so we’re enthusiastic about what he’ll convey into camp.”
