Leigh Halfpenny says he will take the opportunity 'with both hands' after he was named in the starting line-up to face Ireland on Saturday.
Blues back delighted to be selected in favourite position
Leigh Halfpenny says he will take the opportunity 'with both hands' after he was named in the starting line-up to face Ireland on Saturday.
The Cardiff Blues utility was named at full-back for the World Cup quarter-final clash - ahead of Lions players James Hook and Lee Byrne.
Halfpenny played the first two pool matches from the bench before impressing on the wing against Namibia and Fiji, but it is at full-back where the player is most at ease.
"For me, it is a dream come true," Halfpenny said. "I have always wanted to play full-back for my country and what a time to do it, in the quarter-final of the World Cup. I couldn't wish for more.
"I am really pleased to be picked there and to be given an opportunity. I want to take it with both hands.
Belonged
"I always played full-back growing up. It is just where I felt I belonged, really, where I have felt most comfortable. I feel I have had my better performances there."
Halfpenny will hope to shine as part of a razor-sharp Wales back division in attack, but with rain and wind having battered Wellington for much of this week, he knows Ireland's strong kicking game could put him under the microscope.
"If it is wet and windy I would imagine they are going to put it (the ball) up quite a bit. But who knows? They could run it," he added.
"Whatever they do we will hopefully be prepared for it. I am looking forward to the challenge in the air and looking forward to owning the sky.
"It has been very windy in most of the places we have played in this World Cup, and it can be a factor.
"I am extremely excited about our back-line. It's full of talent, pace, skill and power. It's quite deadly, and it is crucial we get good ball and express ourselves.
"We know where our strengths are and we need to execute everything we've got. If chances come in Test rugby, it is important you take them."
Setbacks
Halfpenny is delighted to have been able to play his way into the starting XV after his availablity was uncertain for much of the summer following foot and ankle surgery in April.
"There were one or two setbacks in my rehab," he said. "It was really tight. The Argentina (warm-up) game was the goal, and we just made that in time.
"We've done everything - oxygen chamber, cryotherapy, underwater treadmill - and the day after my operation I was in rehabbing straightaway because we knew it was so tight in terms of time.
"With the underwater treadmill, the water comes up to about chest height. That takes about 70% of your bodyweight, so you have only got about 30% of your bodyweight going through, which allowed me to get walking again.
"I don't think I could ever think I wouldn't make it (World Cup). If I did, I wouldn't be here now. I just had to remain as positive as I could and I had to keep working as hard as I could."
