The Grogg Blog: The Changing Faces of Leigh Halfpenny

Stephen Leigh Halfpenny, born on the 22nd December 1988 in Gorseinon, South Wales.

Known as Leigh Halfpenny, he began his career playing for the Neath Swansea Ospreys under 18s squad during the 2005-06 season. He then went on to train with the senior squad before being signed by the Cardiff Blues in 2008.

Leigh made his debut for the Blues against Ulster in a 17-26 victory at Ravenhill Stadium, even in this debut game he began forging his reputation as "Mr Dependable" by scoring 3 conversions. Leigh finished the 2007-08 season scoring an impressive 80 points.

The 2008-09 season was when Leigh really began to come into his own. In October 2008 he was selected for his debut for the Full Wales team during the Autumn Internationals, making his debut in the 15-20 loss to South Africa. Leigh's second cap however was slightly more memorable, scoring his first two tries for the senior squad against Canada in November 2008.

Leigh started games against Scotland, England and France in the 2009 Six Nations, scoring a Try against the Scots and England to secure victories. He was later dropped for the game against Italy however.

In April 2009, Halfpenny became the youngest player selected on the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa aged just 20, in fact he was the youngest player to be called up since 1968. Leigh only managed one game against the Free State Cheetahs before having to withdraw from the squad with an injury.

Halfpenny continued to shine and in 2010 the first ever Leigh Halfpenny Grogg went on sale in the Groggshop. The Grogg captured the fresh faced look of the youngster and was produced in a number of kits including Wales, Cardiff Blues and 2009 Lions. The Wales edition was limited to 500 pieces.

In 2011 Leigh was included in the Welsh World Cup squad, helping the team progress to the semi finals. A 47 yard kick was all that separated Wales and France from the final, unfortunately for Leigh and Wales the kick just fell inches short and the journey was over.

2012 was a big year for Halfpenny, During the Six Nations tournament he firmly established himself as the starting full back, finishing the leading scoring of the tournament he help Wales to their first Grand Slam since2008.

The strangest thing then happened. Leigh approached the Grogg shop and requested that his Grogg be updated to reflect the fact that physically and facially he had changed quite significantly. No longer clean shaven and boyish looking, Leigh was now Grogged again featuring his trademark stubble and curly hair. The original Grogg was removed from production and this new piece was produced. To my knowledge this is the first time any player has requested their Grogg to be changed/updated. Leigh was then presented with the "Man of Iron" Grogg by the shop for his impressive work during the Grand Slam victory.

In 2013, Leigh went from strength to strength. He helped Wales to another Six Nations Championship victory, securing the Player of the Tournament in the process. This superb form didn't go unnoticed and Leigh was called up to the British and Irish Lions Squad who toured Australia. Halfpenny played all three tests, winning player of the series, and breaking the Lions points record held by Neil Jenkins. He also broke the record for most points in one test. Following on from a famous series victory Leigh was Grogged in the British and Irish Lions kit along with a whole host of other Welsh and Irish Lions. Leigh also became immortalised as a Welsh Mini complete with trademark scrum cap.

It's fair to say the newly modelled Welsh Grogg of Leigh and the British Lions Grogg (complete with gold boot) were extremely popular. The Welsh version sold out by early December 2013 and the Lions Grogg sold out in 2 days, making it one of the fastest ever selling Groggs.

Luckily for lovers of Leigh, that wasn't the end of him in 9" Grogg form . 2014 saw the release of a brand new Halfpenny Grogg and in my opinion the best Grogg of Leigh yet. The Grogg was released in traditional Welsh colours. Leigh was also presented with the first ever "Golden Grogg Award" presented for outstanding achievement.

At the end of the 2013-14 season Leigh announced that he would be leaving Cardiff Blues for Toulon, to take over kicking duties from the retiring Jonny Wilkinson. There was of course still time for one more Grogg. A Grogg kitted out in the latest Cardiff Blues kit was released. 138 figures of Leigh were created to reflect Cardiff Rugby Club’s 138 year history. The Grogg also incorporated the inscription “‘Merci Beaucoup’, 2008-2014, 87 caps, 568 pts.” to reflect his achievements at the club.

Leigh is no doubt an extremely popular player both for Wales and the Blues, there is no question he will continue to flourish at Toulon. I'm sure there will be a few more Leigh Halfpenny Groggs in the making of this already legendary Full Back.