CF10 Rugby Trust

It was 17 years ago, at the start of the 2008/09 season when Leigh Halfpenny made his home debut at the Arms Park. Also in a match against Ulster. Those of us there that day will have thought that the young man on the wing showed quite some promise.

We won’t necessarily have expected him to go on such a remarkable scoring run that season. He would play in Cardiff’s victory at Twickenham in the EDF Final and in the agonising Heineken Cup semi final loss to Leicester. He made his Wales debut at 19 and would complete an astonishing first season by making it onto the 2009 Lions tour.

A testament to his ability and work ethic. But also testament to the environment he was entering. That was a strong Cardiff side. Packed with seasoned local talent and with well judged overseas signings. It can be no accident that the goal kicking former All Black fullback Ben Blair was a teammate, offering the benefit of his experience to a young man who would go on to become one of the greatest fullbacks and goal kickers Wales has produced. This was a Cardiff side that had been allowed to develop over time with steady, reliable funding, and youngsters coming into that environment felt the benefit.

The past 10 years in Welsh rugby have sadly offered a less ideal stage for young talents. So often our professional teams have been unable to know what their budgets are until too late in the day to recruit properly. So often, jobs on and off the field have been put under threat. Just five years after Leigh Halfpenny’s debut, the chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union was throwing around threats that teams would “cease to exist” with a tone of casual indifference.

Its wonderful to see Leigh Halfpenny running back onto the Arms Park. Its a fairytale moment. And the advice he can pass on to players like Tom Bowen and Matty Young will no doubt be invaluable.

Sadly, its also a reminder that over these past 17 years, Welsh pro rugby has lost its way. We have been badly let down by the Welsh rugby union. By creating a situation of chronic instability, the game’s leaders have let down every young player dreaming of professional rugby and following in Leigh Halfpenny’s footsteps.

Welsh rugby continues to go through a period of chronic uncertainty. There will always be talent in this part of the world. We have to start giving it its best chance to succeed.

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