Huw Fairclough
Leigh Halfpenny - pictured kicking a penalty in Scarlets' win over Cardiff - has been hailed "as professional as Owen Franks'' by Scarlets' Kiwi coach.
All Blacks assistant-coach in waiting Brad Mooar has hailed Wales veteran Leigh Halfpenny as the most professional rugby player he has seen since All Blacks prop Owen Franks.
Mooar paid that tribute to the Welsh test fullback after he kicked Mooar's Scarlets club to a vital 16-14 win over derby rivals Cardiff in a crucial Pro14 league match on Saturday (Sunday NZ time).
It was a big call, considering Franks - who Mooar coached at the Crusaders - was famous in New Zealand for taking a protein shake to his own wedding.
Halfpenny slotted three penalties and converted test halfback Gareth Davies' try at Cardiff Arms Park to keep Scarlets in playoffs contention.
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Mooar, in his first - and last - season as Scarlets coach after three years as a Crusaders assistant, said Scarlets were "extremely keen to keep Leigh on board".
"11 out of 10. Is that keen enough?" he told BBC Wales.
"He is a champion. He is loving his rugby at the moment and bouncing into work."
Cameron Spencer
Leigh Halfpenny has 85 caps for Wales.
Scarlets scored all their points in the first half and had to hang on desperately in the second to deny Cardiff, who got back in contention after a try to Welsh test wing Josh Adams.
Mooar said at the post-match press conference that "factors that won us that game was outstanding goal-kicking from Leigh Halfpenny, Gareth Davies' superb try and a hell of a spirit from the group at the end".
Halfpenny, 31, was an "absolute professional in how he prepares", Mooar said.
GETTY IMAGES
Brad Mooar, Scarlets' head coach, reckons Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny and former Crusaders and All Blacks prop Owen Franks are the most professional rugby players he has seen ( FILE PHOTO).
"For our younger players watching a bloke like that, you can set your watch to how he trains.
"He has settled on a performance plan that gets him ready to play and works for him.
"There is no fear of him not putting the work in, it's more case of saying you have had enough, you can come off now. Have a rest, get home, do some dishes or something!"
"There are probably two guys who I have seen prepare like that. Leigh is one of them and the other would be Owen Franks."
Phil Walter
Owen Franks' work ethic in the gym was legendary during his 10-year career with the All Blacks.
Franks - a two-time World Cup winner with the All Blacks alongside his brother and fellow frontrower, Ben - was famous for his meticulous preparation during his decade-long test career.
Recently-knighted former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen once said of Franks: "Not many people would go to their wedding and get their wife to have a protein shake in her pocket.
"He's a dedicated athlete," Hansen said at the time of Franks' 100th test in 2018. "He and his brother, I think, set some massive standards on how to prepare and what lengths they would go to, to make sure they turned up on Saturday in the best condition they can."
Meanwhile, Conference A leaders and titleholders Leinster are the only unbeaten team in the Pro14 after thrashing Connacht 54-7.
They notched their 10th consecutive win, racking up eight tries, including doubles to Ireland test midfielder Garry Ringrose and No 8 Max Deegan.
Ulster are second in Conference A after a 38-17 win over a disappointing Munster side.
Dave Rennie's Glasgow Warriors remain in playoff contention in third place in Conference A after running in six tries - three to brothers George (2) and Peter Horne - in a 38-15 win ove Kieran Crowley's Benetton Treviso.
But Glasgow trail Leinster by 23 points and Ulster by 12.
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January 05, 2020 at 04:56AM
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Why only All Black Owen Franks matches Welsh star Leigh Halfpenny for professional approach - Stuff.co.nz
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