Wales’ British and Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny returns to face Wallabies in Cardiff

CLASSY Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny is back, leaving the Wallabies wary of his laser-like boot and Wales dreaming of an attacking masterclass from a revamped back three.

Leigh Halfpenny returns at fullback for Wales to face the Wallabies in Cardiff.

CLASSY Wales fullback Leigh Halfpenny ends a 14-month absence from Test rugby on Sunday morning (1.30am AEDT), leaving the Wallabies wary of his laser-like boot and Wales dreaming of an attacking masterclass from a revamped back three.

The 27-year-old hasn’t played a Test since suffering a serious knee injury against Italy in a World Cup warm-up game in September last year.

Further setbacks pushed back a return date and scratched him from the June series against New Zealand, meaning it will be the Wallabies who will brace for his emotional return.

Halfpenny earned the start in a reshaped back three, alongside powerhouse wingers George North and Alex Cuthbert, following an ankle injury to Liam Williams.

Leigh Halfpenny has been recalled to Wales’ lineup to face the Wallabies.

But despite being unable to call on Williams, Interim Wales head coach Rob Howley is noticeably chuffed with the tryscoring threats in his backline — which includes the world-class midfield of Jonathan Davies and Jamie Roberts.

“We have three British Lions in the back three, three potent try scorers,” he said.

“We’re delighted to have them back in... hopefully our challenge is getting the ball wide into the wide channels for those players to be at their best.”

NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Stephen Hoiles, Sam Worthington and Christy Doran preview the Wallabies’ Spring Tour, which kicks off against Wales in Cardiff

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes by CLICKING HERE

Howley also confirmed Halfpenny would resume goalkicking duties ahead of five- eighth Dan Biggar, and Wallabies coach Michael Cheika needed no reminding of the threat posed by the Toulon star.

“Halfpenny is an excellent attacker and a long-range goalkicker as well,” Cheika said.

“He’ll give that added weapon too. A fine player with a great track record.”

WALLABIES v WALES

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Kickoff: Sunday 1.30am AEDT

TV: Live on beIN Sports

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb; Ross Moriarty, Justin Tipuric, Dan Lydiate, Luke Chateris, Bradley Davies, Samson Lee, Ken Owens, Gethin Jenkins (captain)

Reserves: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, James King, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Hallam Amos

Australia: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Tevita Kuridrani, Reece Hodge, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; Lopeti Timani, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Adam Coleman, Rory Arnold, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore (captain), Scott Sio

Reserves: Tolu Latu, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Scott Fardy, Nick Frisby, Quade Cooper, Sefa Naivalu

LIVE Stream Wallabies v Wales with the Foxtel Sports Pack. Get your free 2-week FOXTEL PLAY trial and start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Wales’ British and Irish Lions fullback Leigh Halfpenny returns to face Wallabies in Cardiff