I screwed up badly, admits Wales star Leigh Halfpenny after Six Nations loss to Scotland

Fullback admits his decision not to attempt penalty-goal kick effectively ended his side’s hopes of victory in the competition

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Leigh Halfpenny’s decision not to kick for goal proved costly. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:55am, 1 Mar 2017Updated: 8:44pm, 1 Mar 2017

Leigh Halfpenny accepts he made a mistake turning down a penalty-goal chance in Wales’ defeat by Scotland that effectively ended their Six Nations hopes, kicking coach Neil Jenkins said on Tuesday.

The fullback decided he could not go for the posts when given the opportunity to level the match at 16-16 on Saturday at a pivotal moment.

There was confusion at Murrayfield with Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones indicating to referee John Lacey they were going for the posts only for fly half Dan Biggar to end up kicking the ball into the corner for an attacking lineout.

Wales made a mess of the set-piece and Scotland went on to win 29-13 as they recorded their first victory over Wales in a decade.

“I have had a good chat with Leigh and he has put his hand up,” Jenkins said about the 51st-minute incident.

Wales kicking coach Neil Jenkins is confident Leigh Halfpenny will learn from his mistake. Photo: AFP

“It’s clear he wasn’t decisive enough, so Alun Wyn has made the decision to go to the corner. You are going to make the odd error in test rugby, but you have to brush that off and go again.

“Leigh didn’t grab the ball and say, ‘I’m taking this’. He’ll accept that and say he’s made a mistake.”