Leigh Halfpenny kicked an last-minute penalty to snatch a dramatic 23-21 victory for Wales over Ireland in the Six Nations opening round Sunday. A thrilling test was settled in contentious circumstances after flanker Stephen Ferris was penalized for a dangerous tackle on Ian Evans, giving Halfpenny his chance. “It was the hardest kick I've had to take in all my life,” Halfpenny said. “As soon as it went over, the emotion came. Having to deal with the miss against France in the World Cup, putting that over makes it all worthwhile.” Halfpenny missed a late penalty attempt near halfway against France at the Rugby World Cup that would have sent Wales through to meet New Zealand in the final. His successful kick Sunday came after two tries by center Jonathan Davies and another from wing George North, enabling the Welsh to pile fresh misery on Ireland just four months after knocking them out of the World Cup quarterfinals. “It was end-to-end stuff, an exciting game,” Halfpenny said. “It was a tough test and all credit to Ireland, they really gave us a tough game. The score was back and forth and I'm just really pleased to get the result for the rest of the campaign.” Halfpenny had taken over the kicking duties from an out-of-sorts Rhys Priestland, who missed two penalties. Priestland's opposite number, Jonathan Sexton, slotted three penalties and a conversion, while hooker Rory Best and wing Tommy Bowe scored tries for the hosts in a game in which the lead changed five times. But Ireland's Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes were ultimately ended by a Wales team that last won in the Six Nations in Dublin during its Grand Slam title-winning season in 2008. Wales could be without captain Sam Warburton against Scotland next weekend after he went off at halftime nursing a leg injury.
